Converting a Historic Surface Well into a Sauna Splash Pool

This ambitious DIY project transformed a forgotten surface well into a charming cold plunge pool, creating the perfect complement to a standalone wood-burning sauna. The renovation showcases thoughtful design that respects the well's heritage while adding modern functionality and comfort.

Project Overview

The journey began with a neglected surface well nestled in a rugged, natural landscape. What started as an overgrown hole in the ground evolved into an inviting retreat that combines the invigorating tradition of hot-cold therapy with the beauty of outdoor bathing.

Phase 1: Site Preparation and Excavation

The initial phase required significant excavation work to expose the well's original structure. All vegetation surrounding the opening was carefully removed, and the soil around the perimeter was cleared to create a clean working area. This stage revealed the well's depth and helped determine the scope of structural modifications needed.

Further excavation created space for the concrete platform that would become the pool's foundation. A sturdy ladder was essential during this phase for safe access in and out of the deep workspace and to allow access to widening the well opening.

Phase 2: Structural Foundation

A carefully designed concrete walls were poured to serve multiple purposes: raising the water level to a more comfortable depth, creating a solid base for entry and exit, and incorporating an integrated seating area. The design features concrete block steps and a corner bench, providing both functionality and comfort. The concrete work included proper drainage considerations and smooth rounded finishing to ensure safe, injury-free surfaces.

As the concrete walls cured, the pool's basic structure took shape, complete with the addition of cleaned small rocks to be fill under the concrete slab pool deck.

Phase 3: Enhanced Access Features

The two pictures illustrate the completed concrete structure of the splash pool conversion, specifically focusing on the new integrated deck and steps.

Description of the Structure

The images display the finished concrete basin and the surrounding platform, which was constructed to convert the old surface well into a usable splash pool.

Pool Deck Access to the Deeper Pool

The creation of the concrete pool deck slab surrounding the central water basin is crucial for easing access to the deeper pool. This structure effectively raises the entry point relative to the original deep well opening, creating a wide, stable platform from which users can safely enter the water. The deck provides a manageable step down into the water, rather than requiring a large drop from the exterior edge of the structure.

Three Concrete Stairs Enabling Access

The picture below clearly shows a set of two prominent concrete steps (stairs) built into one corner of the structure. These steps are designed to enable simple access onto the main pool deck. They provide a convenient, integrated way for a person to transition from the surrounding grassy area onto the concrete platform and approach the water's edge.

Ladder Placement and Functionality

The installation was designed to allow for both secure placement and dynamic functionality.

The ladder is anchored to the bottom of the splash pool using a specific pivoting mechanism. This mechanism incorporates eye bolts embedded in a concrete block which is set into the pool floor.

To ensure the ladder could pivot while remaining securely attached, bolts were installed into the bottom of the ladder. These bolts, paired with washers, connect to the embedded eye bolts. The washers facilitate smooth rotation, allowing the ladder to pivot from its base.

This pivoting capability serves two primary purposes:

1. During pool entry and use: The ladder can be moved out of the way by pivoting it to the side, maximizing open space within the pool basin.
2. During pool exit: The ladder can be leaned over (pivoted upward) to ease the process of climbing out of the pool.

The completed installation, which includes the wooden ladder, provides easy entry into the splash pool alongside the newly constructed concrete structure and the integrated three concrete steps.

Phase 4: Finishing Touches

The finished installation features a beautiful slatted wooden deck that extends over one corner of the pool, creating a comfortable staging area for entry and exit. The custom-built wooden ladder is angled for easy access, and natural stone placement around the perimeter helps blend the modern construction with the surrounding landscape. The pool now holds crystal-clear water, ready for post-sauna plunges.

Key Features

• Raised Water Level: The concrete platform brings water to an ideal depth for comfortable cold plunging
• Integrated Seating: Built-in concrete bench provides a place to acclimate gradually or simply sit and enjoy the water
• Safe Access: Multiple entry points including a sturdy wooden ladder and stepped concrete areas
• Natural Integration: Stone placement and minimal landscaping disturbance maintain the rustic, natural aesthetic
• Wooden Deck: Provides a dry surface for towels and creates a defined transition space between sauna and pool

The Result

This conversion successfully honors the well's historical presence while creating a functional, beautiful addition to the sauna experience. The combination of modern concrete work, traditional woodworking, and natural stone creates a harmonious blend that looks like it's always belonged in this landscape. The splash pool now offers the perfect cool-down after time in the wood-burning sauna, embracing the time-honored Scandinavian tradition of contrast bathing in a uniquely personal setting.

Architectural Integrity Meets Primal Wellness: Engineering a Sauna for Optimal Health and Durability

As professionals in the building environment, we know that true quality emerges when design decisions are made with both aesthetic beauty and structural resilience in mind. I recently completed a project that perfectly illustrates this principle: a deeply integrated sauna structure designed to withstand extreme conditions while offering profound health benefits.

The Challenge of Placement and Access

Building on a difficult site demands meticulous planning and execution. The location of this sauna required significant manual site preparation. Due to the rugged terrain, moving all necessary building materials was a challenging logistical feat, emphasizing the premium placed on every element chosen for the final structure.

Constructing the Perfect Envelope: Defying the Dew Point

When designing a space defined by intense, fluctuating humidity - like a sauna - the issue of the dew point becomes paramount. Condensation forming within the wall cavities leads directly to rot and mold, compromising both the building's longevity and occupant health.

Our crucial design decision to combat this involved constructing robust, layered wall assemblies that deliberately encourage airflow between the building layers. This controlled ventilation system ensures a perpetually dry building by carrying away moisture vapor before it can condense within the envelope. This preventative measure is fundamental to promoting a durable and structurally sound building for decades. Visible elements of the construction include vertical stud framing and insulation materials integrated into the wall structure.

Performance Through Precision Materials

We selected materials not just for their looks, but for their commitment to performance:

Custom-Milled Rhombus Siding: The exterior features unique custom-milled rhombus siding. This deliberate profile enhances the building's aesthetic appeal while serving as an effective rain screen, supporting the ventilation strategy and rapid drainage.

Triple-Glazed Windows: Windows are often the weakest thermal link. To mitigate heat loss and maintain a high level of energy efficiency, we specified high-performance, triple-glazed windows. This choice minimizes thermal bridging and ensures internal glass surfaces remain warm, further preventing condensation risks inside the heated space.

The custom milled rhombus siding was not only aesthetic, it was also the least expensive.

The Heart of the Ritual: Heat, Cold, and Restoration

The interior is designed around the powerful, transformative experience of the heat and the stones. A moderately sized stove capable of holding a substantial volume of volcanic stones dominates the space, crucial for generating rich, intense löyly (steam). Heating the space is a manual process, requiring tending to the firebox to achieve the desired temperature. Three large spoonfuls of essential oil infused water poured over the hot stones brings the temperature up in 3 - 5 degree bursts.

Adding essential oils to the water before pouring over the hot stones provides additional wellbeing.

The sauna and the associated features are intended to work together as a holistic wellness facility. The structure is integrated with a separate, adjacent cold feature, built by converting the properties legacy surface well. The below-grade concrete structure and ladder is designed for a splash or cold plunge - that is situated a few steps from the sauna building. A deep breath and quickly lowering yourself into the 6'6" pool allows you to emerge into a different dimension.

The Thermal Cycle for Deep Wellness:

The full restorative experience involves cycling between the heat and the cold. Based on traditional practices, the cycle emphasizes a deep heating step followed immediately by a rapid cooling phase.

A suggested cycle involves:

1. Heating: Spending time in the intense heat of the sauna.

2. Cooling: Transitioning directly to the cold plunge or splash pool for up to three minutes.

3. Rest: Resting outside for another 5 to 10 minutes before returning to the sauna.

This cycle is typically repeated three times to maximize circulatory benefits and promote relaxation. Taking the opportunity the sit and relax in the cool air, or by an outdoor fire, and breathe deeply further enhances the experience.

It should be noted that while the existence of the heated sauna and the cold plunge structure is supported by the sources, the specific timing, duration (3 minutes in the pool, 5-10 minutes outside), and repetition count (3 times) for this wellness protocol are details that need to be considered by the user. Know your body and how it responds to heat and cold cycles. Good to consult with your physician before using a sauna and cold pool.

Sunset and views from the sauna are outstanding. And the deck provides enough space for laying about and completing a few yoga postures.

The colour of the wood burning firebox always adds to the ambience and provides enough light to choose a few more pieces of wood organized under the interior bench seats.

The dry summer months also provide an opportunity to maintain the lands around the sauna and splash pool.

This project demonstrates that successful architecture transcends mere shelter; it is about engineering environments that actively support health, durability, and a profound connection to beneficial natural rituals.

Navigating Data Governance in the Age of AI

The Data Guardian.

Data governance has become crucial in the age of AI, particularly with technologies like Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) that combine language models with internal and external knowledge sources. Whether used personally by individuals at home or organizationally for customer service, AI systems' effectiveness depends entirely on the quality and governance of their underlying data. This guide explores five essential elements of data governance for AI systems: data provenance (tracking data origins), data lineage (mapping data journeys), data quality (ensuring accuracy), data security (protecting information), and data access (managing permissions). Understanding and implementing these elements is vital for building trustworthy AI systems that can deliver accurate, unbiased, and compliant results while fostering innovation and protecting sensitive information.

Introduction: Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) - Your AI Co-Pilot

Imagine having a personal AI assistant that can instantly answer any question, grounded in reliable information. That's the promise of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). RAG systems combine the power of large language models (LLMs) with the ability to retrieve information from external knowledge sources.

• Personal RAG: Think of a student using RAG to research a paper. The AI can access a library of academic articles, textbooks, and credible websites to provide accurate and up-to-date information, tailored to the student's specific query.
• Organizational RAG: Now picture a company using RAG to improve customer service. The AI can access internal knowledge bases, product manuals, and FAQs to provide instant and consistent answers to customer inquiries, reducing response times and improving customer satisfaction.

But here's the catch: the effectiveness of RAG, and any AI system, hinges on the quality and governance of the underlying data. Just like a faulty GPS can lead you astray, ungoverned data can lead AI to generate inaccurate, biased, or even harmful outputs. That's where data governance comes in.

Why Data Governance Matters for AI: Personal and Organizational Perspectives

Data governance is not just a set of rules, it's a framework for ensuring that data is accurate, reliable, secure, and used ethically. In the context of AI, data governance is crucial for:

• Building Trust: AI systems are only as trustworthy as the data they are trained on.
• Mitigating Risk: Poor data quality can lead to flawed AI conclusions, increasing the risk of bad decisions and non-compliance.
• Ensuring Compliance: Data governance helps organizations comply with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
• Driving Innovation: High-quality, well-governed data fuels AI innovation and enables organizations to unlock the full potential of their data assets.

Five Key Elements of Data Governance for AI

Here are five main elements of data governance that are critical for both personal and organizational use of AI:

1.  Data Provenance: Tracing the Origin

• Definition: Data provenance is the "who, what, when, where, and why" of data. It involves tracking the origins of data, how it has been transformed, and who has accessed it.
• Personal Use: Imagine using an AI tool to analyze your personal finances. Data provenance would help you understand where the AI is getting your financial data (e.g., bank accounts, credit cards), how it's being processed, and who has access to it.
• Organizational Use: In an organization, data provenance is essential for tracking the source of training data for AI models. This helps ensure that the data is reliable, unbiased, and compliant with regulations. Tools like blockchain can be leveraged for provenance tracking of AI assets. Standards, such as those proposed by the Data & Trust Alliance (D\&TA), aim to surface metadata on source, legal rights, privacy and protection, generation date, data type, generation method, intended use and restrictions and lineage.

2.  Data Lineage: Mapping the Data Journey

• Definition: Data lineage is the chronological journey of data from its origin to its current state. It provides a complete audit trail of all transformations and processes that the data has undergone.
• Personal Use: If you're using an AI-powered fitness tracker, data lineage would show how your activity data is collected, processed (e.g., calculating calories burned), and used to generate personalized recommendations.
• Organizational Use: For AI applications, data lineage is crucial for understanding how data quality issues may have been introduced during processing. It also helps in debugging AI models and ensuring that the results are reproducible.

3.  Data Quality: Ensuring Accuracy and Reliability

• Definition: Data quality refers to the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness of data. High-quality data is essential for building trustworthy AI systems.
• Personal Use: If you're using an AI-powered medical diagnosis tool, you want to be sure that the data it's using (e.g., your medical history, lab results) is accurate and up-to-date.
• Organizational Use: Organizations need to implement data quality checks and validation procedures to ensure that AI models are trained on reliable data. This includes monitoring data for bias and implementing mitigation strategies. Characteristics which define data quality are accuracy, completeness, reliability and timeliness.

4.  Data Security: Protecting Sensitive Information

• Definition: Data security involves implementing measures to protect data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
• Personal Use: When using AI tools, you need to be confident that your personal data is protected from cyber threats and unauthorized access.
• Organizational Use: Data security is paramount for AI applications that handle sensitive data, such as customer information, financial records, or medical data. This includes implementing access controls, encryption, and data loss prevention measures.

5.  Data Access: Balancing Openness and Control

• Definition: Data access refers to the policies and procedures for granting access to data. It involves balancing the need for open access to data for innovation with the need to protect sensitive information.
• Personal Use: You should have control over who has access to your data when using AI applications, and be able to grant or revoke access as needed.
• Organizational Use: Organizations need to establish clear data access policies that define who can access what data, for what purpose, and under what conditions. This includes implementing role-based access control and data masking techniques. Semantic models also contribute to data anonymization processes.

Conclusion: Embrace Data Governance for AI Success

AI has the potential to transform every aspect of our lives, but it's not a silver bullet. To harness the power of AI responsibly and effectively, we need to embrace data governance as a core principle. By focusing on data provenance, lineage, quality, security, and access, we can build AI systems that are trustworthy, reliable, and beneficial for all.

Call to Action

For Individuals: Take data governance seriously. Understand where your data comes from, how it's being used, and what your rights are.

For Organizations: Invest in data governance tools and processes. Establish clear policies, train your employees, and foster a data-driven culture.

The future of AI depends on it!

In the coming workshop I will cover these topics and more. I will provide a number of use cases and examples of data governance practices for individuals as they increase their knowledge of integrating AI into their daily practices.

Data Governance for Reliable AI: From Source to Insight

I am building a workshop to help adult students and professionals make the best use of emerging AI tools for both organizational and personal use. Two themes that will be present in the workshop include, using Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) for improving context and being mindful of information privacy within the context of AI.

The overall theme of the workshop is to unlock the potential of AI while ensuring quality and reliability. This workshop explores the critical role of continuous improvement, data governance, data provenance, and data lineage in building trustworthy AI systems. Discover practical strategies for implementing robust data management frameworks to address challenges in data quality, compliance, and model performance, leading to more effective AI solutions.

Key Topics:

• Continuous Improvement: Learn why iteratively refining data is crucial for reliable AI outcomes.
• Data Governance: Understand the importance of data governance in AI.
• Data Provenance & Lineage: Discover how tracking data's origin, journey, and transformations enhances transparency, supports ethical practices, improves decision-making, and reduces hallucinations in AI applications.

AI Approaches: RAG

The workshop will also touch on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), a technique that fundamentally improves AI systems by enabling them to access and utilize specific, real-time information from organizational documents, databases, and knowledge bases, rather than relying solely on their training data. RAG enhances accuracy and reliability, as demonstrated in applications like healthcare and legal work. Unless an organization builds its own Large Language Model (LLM), everything it does with AI could be considered RAG.

For more detail in moving beyond good prompt engineering you need to consider RAG, please consider this blog post for further insight; https://criticaltechnology.blogspot.com/2024/12/rag-and-agents-how-ai-is-learning-to.html

Tools for Data Governance

The workshop will include a demo of NotebookLM. NotebookLM is designed with robust privacy features that make it particularly relevant for Canadian professionals handling sensitive information. The platform's key privacy feature is that uploaded documents are never used to train its AI models, ensuring data remains private and secure.

Most of the demo's will be in using NotebookLM, the RAG tool built by Google. To better understand NotebookLM and its security position, please consider this recent blog post; https://criticaltechnology.blogspot.com/2025/02/keeping-your-data-private-in-notebooklm.html

PIPEDA and Data Governance

It's important to understand Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). While PIPEDA doesn't explicitly address AI, its technology-neutral principles establish crucial guidelines for handling personal data in AI projects. These include obtaining proper consent, limiting data collection, implementing security measures, maintaining transparency, ensuring data accuracy, and practicing accountability.

For more detail of how AI intersects with PIPEDA enjoy this blog post highlighting seven important impacts; https://criticaltechnology.blogspot.com/2025/02/ai-and-your-personal-project-navigating.html

If you are interested in attending this workshop feel free to sign up. All are welcome. Reserve your spot here: https://lnkd.in/ecKQ-reB

Keeping Your Data Private in NotebookLM: A Canadian Professional's Guide

As a Canadian professional, you understand the importance of data privacy. Whether you're working with client information, sensitive research, or proprietary business strategies, keeping your data secure is paramount.  That's why when exploring new tools like NotebookLM, understanding its privacy features is crucial.

NotebookLM offers a powerful way to interact with your documents, but how does it handle your sensitive information?  The good news is that NotebookLM is designed with privacy in mind. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know:

Your Data Stays Yours:

• No Training Data:  Let's get the biggest concern out of the way first.  Your uploaded documents are never used to train NotebookLM's AI models.  Think of it this way: your data is for *your* use only, and it doesn't contribute to improving the system for other users. This is a critical distinction and a significant advantage for professionals handling confidential material.
• Workspace Account Protection: If you're accessing NotebookLM through a work or school account with a qualifying Workspace edition, you get an extra layer of protection. In this scenario, your uploads, queries, and the model's responses are shielded from human review. This is particularly important for professionals in regulated industries or those dealing with highly sensitive data.

A Note on Personal Accounts and Feedback:

If you're using a personal Google account, the situation is slightly different.  If you choose to provide feedback on NotebookLM, human reviewers *might* see your queries, uploads, and the AI's responses.  Therefore, it's best practice to avoid submitting anything you wouldn't be comfortable sharing if you're using a personal account.  Consider this carefully when deciding how to use the platform.

Key Considerations for Canadian Professionals:

• Copyright:  As always, respect Canadian copyright laws.  Ensure you have the necessary rights to share any content you upload to NotebookLM.  This is a fundamental principle regardless of the platform you're using.
• Terms of Service: Your use of NotebookLM, whether through a personal or Workspace account, is subject to Google's Terms of Service or the Google Workspace Terms of Service, respectively.  Familiarize yourself with these terms to fully understand your rights and responsibilities.

The Bottom Line:

NotebookLM is built with privacy at its core.  The platform emphasizes keeping your documents confidential and separate from its AI training processes.  For Canadian professionals, this is a vital consideration.  By understanding these privacy features and adhering to best practices, you can leverage the power of NotebookLM while maintaining the confidentiality of your valuable data.  If you have any further questions or concerns, always refer to Google's official documentation and privacy policy for the most current information.

AI and Your Personal Project: Navigating PIPEDA's Privacy Landscape

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the landscape of what's possible, even in personal projects.  Many hobbyists and professionals are exploring the power of AI for everything from creative endeavors to data analysis. But with this power comes responsibility, especially when dealing with personal information.  In Canada, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) sets the ground rules for how we handle such data, and it applies even to your personal AI projects.

PIPEDA doesn't specifically mention "AI," but its core principles are technology-agnostic.  Think of it as a set of best practices for responsible data handling, regardless of the tools you use. So, how does this impact your AI tinkering? Let's break it down:

1. Consent is Key: If your AI project uses any personal information, you generally need consent to collect, use, or disclose it.  This is crucial, even if you're not selling anything or sharing the data widely.  Think about what data your project requires and how you'll obtain consent.
2. Stick to the Purpose: You can only use the personal information for the specific purpose you stated when you got consent.  Don't collect data for one reason and then use it for something completely different without obtaining new consent.  Be clear and upfront about your intentions from the start.
3. Less is More (Data Minimization):  Only collect the personal information you *actually* need for your project.  Avoid the temptation to gather extra data "just in case."  The less you collect, the less you have to protect.
4. Protect What You Collect (Safeguards):  You're responsible for protecting the personal information you collect with appropriate security measures.  This is especially important if you're dealing with sensitive data. Think about encryption, access controls, and secure storage.
5. Be Transparent:  Be open and honest about how you're using personal information in your AI project.  People have a right to know how their data is being used, even in seemingly harmless projects.  Consider a simple privacy notice or explanation.
6.  Accuracy Matters:  If your AI project involves making decisions about individuals, you need to ensure the personal information you're using is accurate and up-to-date. Inaccurate data can lead to unfair or incorrect outcomes.
7. Accountability is Your Responsibility:  Ultimately, you're responsible for complying with PIPEDA, even in a personal project.  This means being able to demonstrate how you're protecting personal information and adhering to the principles outlined in the Act.

The Bottom Line:

PIPEDA might seem daunting, but its principles are fundamentally about respect for privacy.  By considering these points, you can ensure your AI projects are not only innovative but also responsible. Remember, these are just some key considerations. PIPEDA is a complex piece of legislation.  If you have specific questions about how it applies to your project, consulting with a privacy expert or legal professional is always a good idea.  Protecting privacy is not just a legal obligation; it's the right thing to do.