Handmade Cedar Tubs for Hot and Cold Soaking
We are a small team of craftspeople based in Eugene, Oregon, dedicated to building traditional Japanese ofuros and our own modern innovations — wood soaking tubs designed for outdoor hot soaking.
Our tubs blend natural materials, timeless design, and thoughtful craftsmanship to create a simple, luxurious soaking experience. We are passionate about sharing this unique, natural alternative to conventional hot tubs, offering a connection to nature and deep relaxation.
What We Build
We make two types of wood soaking tubs. Our ofuro tubs follow the traditional Japanese approach — a deep, all-cedar vessel with a natural wood interior, designed for drain-and-fill use. Our cedar hot tubs pair a Western red cedar exterior with marine fiberglass reinforcement, built to stay filled and heated year-round.
Our ofuros use traditional interlocking joinery, where the wood swells to form a watertight seal. Our cedar hot tubs feature a unique innovation: a clear resin fiberglass interior that creates a naturally appearing, leakproof vessel designed to stay filled and heated year-round. Developed and refined through years of testing and use, our unique rectangular cedar hot tubs function like conventional hot tubs while looking and feeling like natural wood.
We source our Western red cedar from Pacific Northwest mills and select each board by hand for grain, color, and structural integrity. Most of our tubs are built to order, with occasional special made tubs available in stock. Standard configurations cover most spaces, but we regularly adapt dimensions, drain placement, and seating to fit specific rooms, decks, and outdoor layouts for projects across the country.
Tyler Stewart
Owner, Founder
Tyler founded Elemental Works Soaking Tubs during the Covid winter of 2020-2021. Inspired by the deep comfort and meditative quality of traditional ofuros – especially when enjoyed outdoors – he set out to create tubs that could bring this life-changing experience into everyday life. His vision continues to shape every tub we build.
Troy Faccio
Lead Builder
Troy brings over 30 years of carpentry and finishing experience to our hand-made soaking tubs. A native of the Oregon forest, when not building tubs he can be found deep in the woods on the side of a mountain somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Every tub begins with a conversation. Tell us about your space and vision.
Contact Us