A local client recently purchased a Star Gazer barrel sauna for installation on his deck, like this picture from the vendor. It is shaped like a barrel on end, with a clear dome top to allow "star gazing". Some vendor pictures call it the bullet sauna. He quickly discovered that, since the heat rose, the best (hottest) part of the sauna was near the top.

A loft was added, somewhat like a semi-circular shelf 64 inches long and 23 inches deep at the center, attached to the sauna about five feet above the floor. It is strong enough to hold a couple adults. In addition to taking advantage of the heat, this allowed a view of the scenery as well as the stars, but was low enough so the solid walls of the sauna still provide modesty.

Most people (those without a cape or wings) cannot step from the floor (or even from the 16 inch high bench) to a loft that is five feet high. And there is no place to store a ladder in this sauna. Therefore a curved stool (the shape of the sauna) was built that could be placed on the bench, providing an easy climb to the loft. It also provided a convenient "half way" height, if desired.

The stool can be stored partially under the bench. (It is wider than the space between the braces under the bench, so doesn't fit completely under.) It could also be made slightly higher, to be even with the bench, for use as a "foot stool" or to expand the exercise/stretching/yoga options. It could also be narrower to fit completely under the bench, but that would make it substantially smaller and somewhat less stable.