Ivan Zatko: sauna in Slovakia

Ivan Zaťko s manželkou pózují před dřevěnou fasádou venkovní sauny na míru.

A small sauna with round windows stands in the middle of the Orava nature. Its owners are Zatka, Monika and Ivan, around whom their young children are constantly running around. Ivan took up the position of project manager of their small and large housing in Orava with unreal peace and foresight. And that's exactly how he came to us in What a Hut. Read the story of the sauna with the red window.

Placing in 30 under 30, Journal, Tourist Shelters, Donio and a host of other projects define Ivan and his constant smile on his face. Could you introduce yourself to us?

I've heard of myself as a professional starter and I think that describes me quite well. During school, I received a good grounding in processes or marketing. During my studies abroad, I learned about crowdfunding. That's kind of professional rip-off, actually. So I gradually got to the first such project, and in a while the bag was torn with offers.

We also used crowdfunding for our own projects: diaries and books in our publishing house Journalposters; Pousterwhich in the campaign contributed to the status of 4 tourist shelters on the path of SNP heroes, or in the running up of bookshops Brot Books Deli. All this resulted 3 years ago in the launch of the Slovak Donio, where I still work as a country manager.

Both you and Monika come from Orava, so you are closely connected to this place. How do you feel in a place with a view of the surrounding hills?

We spent almost 13 years in Brno. It's a great city that has grown to our hearts. But with each visit from the family, we realized how much we miss the view of the mountains. And so we dreamed of a small house with a view, where we can return from anywhere. When we realized this dream, we realized that we feel much better here than in the city. That's why we moved. Being in touch with nature is one of the reasons I tell myself every day that it was worth it.

You have settled several objects on your plot. Sauna from our workshop and Ulitu from the Czech brand Egoé together with their modular system Leva. How did you come across both brands?

I registered Egoé for longer, through their car build-ins and LEVA cubes. Once I came across an article about the 25-meter Ulita from their workshop and Monica and I arranged a tour. I already remembered that a small house was our dream for a very long time, so we saw dozens of similar projects. But when we saw how thoughtful Ulita was, for the first time we said to each other that this is what we were looking for. However, we still lacked a place to relax. We both love to sauna, so the sauna was in the plan from the beginning. Since we are visual types, its design was also important to us. It was at that time that an article was published about you, which interested both of us independently of each other, and besides, we also received personal recommendations for you. So we came to see the booth personally and already on the way from you we knew that we had found another piece of the puzzle.

For such a small living space that Ulita offers you on its 25m2, you wanted in Orava besides a sauna and a study. We gladly accepted this assignment and provided you with an object that is used for both activities. How are you in the sauna — booth working?

Since I work from home, we also wanted a place where there would be no ordinary daily hustle. You guys worked it out perfectly. Initially, I thought that I would only use the booth for occasional business calls. But over time, I adopted it as a full-fledged study. When I close here, I get into the flow much faster and during the day I just watch the play with the light through the circular windows. For video calls, at least it's a good ice breaker to explain why I work from the sauna. And some days I spend even more time here than in Ulita.

So you spend more time working in it?

Since I currently spend most of my working hours in Budka, this ratio will always be in the negative for saunas. In addition, we live in Ulita since spring, so I did not have time to enjoy the winter sauna season much. Even though I've already taken a sauna a few times in the summer as well. Right now, however, things are starting to turn around, and in the evening the booth becomes a sauna again. Especially after hard work days, this is my favorite time.

We have powered the sauna to the Czech Loxone system, with which you control the entire household and objects. Are you happy with the system?

The wood-fired sauna is cool, but we also like its comfort. We agreed that we wanted to have as little worry as possible with her. This way I can turn on, regulate or control the sauna remotely. This is often a spontaneous decision. And thanks to Loxone, I have a better chance of using the sauna.

Why and how do you like to take a sauna?

For me, sauna is synonymous with mindfulness. By the time the kids are already asleep, I have all the space to myself. I usually give myself a podcast during one round of sauntering, a Headspace during the second, and complete silence during the third. Sometimes silence is enough.

How did you feel about our collaboration?

Sincerely? In your case, everything went like butter. You met deadlines, delivered custom-made elements, figured out a way to sort out an outdoor shower. You also helped with the selection of suitable exterior lights. I really felt like nothing was a problem with you. Only next time I will be more careful to close the door correctly, the Orava gales are uncompromising in this. I believe this is not the last joint project. We have another task in our heads. And working with you is pretty contagious.