About Stokeyard
Stokeyard was founded as a development studio focused on heat, ritual, and shared space.
Before sauna became a trend, we were building mobile units, cooperatives, and rooftop programs in Minneapolis — experimenting with how thermic bathing could function as modern cultural infrastructure rather than novelty.
Our work has always been principle-first:
- Why does this practice exist?
- What does it do to the nervous system?
- How does place shape the experience?
- How does culture transmit through people, not signage?
Stokeyard exists to answer those questions in real environments.
Introducing
The Founders
John Pederson
Founder of the 612 Sauna Society and architect of Thermaculture. John’s work centers on translating thermic bathing into a repeatable practice that trains steadiness under intensity.
Rodney Buhrsmith
Builder, buiness advisor, and activation partner with a long track record of bringing thermic spaces to life with clarity, craftsmanship and class.
Together, they have worked at the intersection of design, culture, and embodied experience for over a decade.
Why Stokeyard Still Exists
As Thermaculture has evolved into a public-facing educational and licensing framework, Stokeyard remains the structural studio behind it.
It houses:
- Long-term advisory relationships
- Development projects
- Cultural consulting engagements
- Legacy partnerships