Article source: Studio Puisto Architects Ltd

The building is approached from the south through a dense spruce forest, as the lake landscape slowly opens to the right on the east side. The spruce forest forms a natural and characteristic back wall for the construction site. It acts as a strong visual barrier along the western boundary of the plot, but also softens the place’s otherwise open sound landscape and adds a gentle, dark tone to it. At the beginning of the design, the plot was almost treeless and only one maple tree had to be removed to make room for the building. The rhythmic line of birches by the shore is an essential feature for the landscape opening from the interior of the house, and it also provides privacy when viewing the building from the lake. The steep stone embankment of the shore is repeated with the paving stones of the lower part of the house. The exact location of the building was largely determined by the views. The more north you move on the plot, the more the lake landscape opens, on the other hand the shortest distance to the shore was precisely determined. The old sauna by the shore had to be moved slightly in order to get the best view. Views have been sparingly opened towards the closest neighbor, located northwest, and towards the under-grown tree layer facing north, and the house is more enclosed in that direction. Instead of covering the large glass surfaces with interior curtains, a sun-blind was integrated into the outer surface of the wall structure, which does not allow heat radiation to enter, but allows views to the landscape to be enjoyed from inside the house.

Image Courtesy © Marc Goodwin, Archmospheres

• Architects: Studio Puisto Architects Ltd
• Project: 3-Square House
• Location: Southern Savonia, Lake Saimaa shore, Finland
• Photography: Marc Goodwin, Archmospheres
  
• Partners:
  
  • Mikko Jakonen, Emma Johansson, Sampsa Palva, Heikki Riitahuhta, Willem van Bolderen
    
  • Team members: Pauliina Kujala
    
• Collaborators:
  
  • Lighting Design: Lighting Design Collective Contractor: Rakennuspalvelu Ri-Li Oy
    
  • Roof and Facade zinc work: Peltipeite
    
  • Walnut Surfaces and fixed furniture: TM Team KY
    

(more…)