Humlegård House - Braving The Elements |
Thursday, 12 June 2008 |
Humlegård House is the stark-looking, year-round residence of a former Finnish TV documentary producer. He moved to this house, located in the town
of Fiskars, 78 kilometers west of Helsinki, from a central-Helsinki
heritage apartment. Many aspects of Humlegård, especially its placement
to respond to the forces of nature, resemble the owner’s childhood
home, a large country manor in central Finland.
Designed by Kimmo Friman of Friman Laaksonen Architects
of Helsinki, Humlegård House is situated on a small, flat hill so that
the north-south line runs diagonally through the building. This is the
traditional way of placing a building so that it functions optimally as
an energy efficient and comfortable dwelling in the harsh, Finnish
climate. Protection from the wind and maximum use of sunlight are
primary considerations, and the placement of rooms is as much dependent
on how much the room needs heat and daylight as it is on how the
residents use each space.
The floor plan resembles the layout of a traditional peasant farmhouse,
split lengthwise into two. The house consists of three multi-function
areas: two large living rooms linked by a loft with a bathroom and
walk-in closet below.
In a typically Finnish fashion, the building appears simple, stark and
utilitarian yet exudes a harmonious and stylish form & function
sensibility. The owner and architect selected each building material
carefully, opting for traditional, natural materials. “I did not want
materials of which we did not have decades of experience,” said the
owner. Horizontal spruce board – left untreated for maximum structure
breathability -- is the main feature of the interior.
The spruce-clad outer facade weathers into a beautiful gray color that
matches the stark surroundings. The east-facing facade is clad with
galvanized corrugated-steel that protects the wall from rain and sun
and also reflects excessive sun away in the summer. The placement of
windows was determined by the requirements of the interior spaces. A
separate, tiny log sauna, also designed by Friman, was built later east
of the main building. By Tuija Seipell
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