References

Grandpa's Legacy

A sturdy cabin for the family’s summer retreat

The family’s grandfather had felled giant-sized trees from his forest back in the 1980s, which then waited for a good building site and the right inspiration for decades. The trees were remarkably well-preserved due to their high content of prime heartwood, allowing them to be carved into a new cabin for the family’s summer spot. A draftsperson within the family designed the cabin to include a small living area, a proper sauna, and separate washroom facilities. And so, the family’s dream began to come true.

We carved the cabin at our workshop according to the plans. The size of the logs challenged the carver, but the end result was magnificent. Once the carving was complete, the log frame was transported to the site and assembled by crane onto its lakeside foundations. The massive logs, reaching up to 60 cm in height, give the cabin its unique look. The ensemble is finished with a black surface treatment that highlights the scale of the logs. It became truly Great – Oiku Mahtava!

Kivi­niemi Estate at Hera­järvi, Kontio­lahti

Reconstruc­tion of a museum site

In 2021, a fire destroyed the historic main building of the Kiviniemi estate, which was built of logs. Kiviniemi has a history dating back to the 1700s, with permanent settlement since 1886. Today, the estate serves as an outdoor center right next to Koli National Park. The municipality of Kontiolahti and the Finnish Heritage Agency searched for builders for a new log house, and we answered the call. Once our tender was accepted, the search for timber meeting the quality requirements began. Sufficiently old, large-sized, and healthy forest was eventually found in Ranua, Koillismaa.

The sawing of the timber and the carving of the log house were carried out at our facility in Northern Ostrobothnia. Crafting a hand-carved log house is a multi-stage process. The most important phases are timber selection, scribing, carving, and fitting. For the Kiviniemi house, all interior walls were also made of logs. As a surface finish, the inside of the log walls was hand-hewn with an axe—a significant task for a 150-square-meter log house. The actual carving work took several months.

We assembled the house in its naturally beautiful location in a few days. The log house fits the lakeside landscape perfectly. Following the plans, another contractor completed the rest of the building work. The result is a modernized version of the previous building, designed by an architect. Now, hikers can enjoy a hand-carved log house that meets modern standards. What could fit better in the middle of nature than a functional, warm, and cozy log house?

A small home by the lake

A modern classic

In the beginning, there was a family’s dream of a home together near their childhood home. A suitable plot was found by the lake, which immediately felt like their own. What kind of building would fit here? What do we want and need? A log house soon began to feel like the best option for the family. They dreamed of a traditional style, but a home that meets modern requirements. When choosing authentic log construction, high-quality work, and a reliable supplier, the family decided on our company.

We began the carving work in our workshop using durable wood from the north, according to the plans. The corner notch was a dovetail joint with a wind lock, which is an excellent choice for a building where the log surfaces remain exposed. The log frame was built up to the top plate level, meaning the roof structures were constructed as trusses by a local contractor. A surface well-suited for a family with children was achieved by planing the interior of the log walls, while the exterior was left rough-sawn. Installation at the site was completed in a single day with the help of a crane. The local contractor did their part, and the customer finished the work themselves. Of the end result, one can truly say: Oiku, what a lovely home!