Architectural Cases

Experience Serenity: Puusauna – Where Nature's Embrace Meets Architectural Grace

Embracing Nature's Form: The Charred Trunk Colonnade

At the heart of Puusauna's design, a series of whole, charred tree trunks rise majestically, providing robust support for the roof structure. This distinctive feature, a signature of architect Jaakko Torvinen, creates a powerful visual statement while echoing the natural environment from which the materials are sourced.

Island Retreat: Puusauna's Strategic Coastal Placement

Situated on the serene Kaunissaari island in the Gulf of Finland, this 30-square-meter sanctuary perfectly bridges the lush expanse of a dense forest with the tranquil shores of the beach. Its carefully chosen location maximizes its connection to both land and sea, offering unparalleled views and a profound sense of seclusion.

Rooted in Authenticity: Local Wood and Handcrafted Excellence

Puusauna, aptly named "Tree Sauna," was meticulously crafted using timber harvested directly from the adjacent forest. Each tree trunk was individually selected and hand-hewn, then integrated into the architecture as sculptural and structural elements, underscoring a commitment to local resources and artisanal methods.

Architectural Philosophy: Celebrating Wood's Organic Beauty

Architect Jaakko Torvinen articulates his core design philosophy through Puusauna: "The organic shape of wood is integral to the architecture." He personally chose each tree for its unique, natural contours, ensuring they play a central and prominent role in defining the building's character and aesthetic.

Ascending to Warmth: The Lofted Sauna Experience

Designed as a traditional loft sauna, Puusauna features washing facilities on the ground level, while the main sauna chamber is thoughtfully situated upstairs. This vertical arrangement enhances the bathing ritual, offering distinct spaces for preparation and relaxation.

Timeless Heat: The Batch-Fired Stove and Log Walls

The sauna's interior is encased by dovetailed log-cabin walls, meticulously constructed from hand-hewn trunks. At its core lies a batch-fired stove, deliberately chosen for its methodical, hands-on heating process, which provides a deep, pervasive warmth characteristic of traditional Finnish saunas.

Panoramic Vistas: Sauna Benches with Ocean and Forest Views

Access to the upper sauna benches is provided by a timber staircase, where an entire tree trunk serves as a distinctive newel post. From the benches, bathers are treated to expansive panoramic views of the ocean through a large window, while a second window frames the verdant forest behind, immersing them in nature's embrace.

A Bather's Perspective: Torvinen's Personal Connection to Sauna Culture

Torvinen, an ardent advocate of Finnish sauna culture, shares his deep personal connection: "As a Finn, I sauna almost every other day and swim outdoors weekly." This profound relationship directly informs the design, ensuring an authentic and deeply personal experience for visitors.

Designed Progression: A Choreographed Ritual of Views

The architectural layout intentionally orchestrates the unveiling of views. After transitioning through various spaces, visitors enter a soaring, four-meter-high volume, where an organically shaped tree trunk draws the eye upwards. Torvinen explains, "Views only open once you sit down," transforming bathing into a slow, choreographed ritual rather than an immediate visual spectacle.

Tea Room Tranquility: Japanese Influence and Natural Elements

Adjacent to the sauna, a 10-square-meter tea room offers a serene space, centered around a small wood-burning stove. Its design draws inspiration from traditional Japanese architecture, featuring end-grain wooden flooring and a unique bench that integrates a twisting tree trunk, further blurring the lines between built form and natural art.

Expansive Deck: The Charred Trunk Terrace and Boulder Feature

Both the sauna and tea house are encircled by a spacious timber terrace, framed by the recurring motif of charred tree trunks. A prominent boulder, which deeply resonated with Torvinen during his initial site visit, is thoughtfully incorporated into the terrace, grounding the structure within its natural context.

Aatismo studio has masterfully transformed a traditional Japanese residence in Kamakura, known as Haniyasu House, into a unique multi-generational dwelling that celebrates the symbiotic relationship between architecture and ceramic art. The home, which derives its name from Japanese deities associated with earth, clay, and pottery, was originally erected in 1967 but required significant restoration following typhoon damage. Architects Keita Ebidzuka and Eriko Masunaga, alongside Ebidzuka's ceramic artist parents, embarked on this ambitious project, aiming to create a space where life and artistic creation intertwine seamlessly. The innovative design features external walls adorned with clay, soil, and various metal powders, meticulously applied to mimic the rich textures and hues of ceramic glazes, effectively paying homage to the family's artistic heritage.

The structural integrity of the original home was re-established by stripping it down to its fundamental timber framework, which was then fortified and expanded. Aatismo introduced four distinct, curvilinear volumes at each corner, crafted from sustainable materials and coated with a unique blend of waste products, evoking the impression that these forms have organically arisen from the earth. These extensions, shaped like trapezoidal prisms with softened edges, utilize a simple timber frame insulated with timber panels. The exterior finish is particularly noteworthy, incorporating bisque-fired waste clay from the parents' pottery work, layered with local soil and a plaster mixture containing iron and copper powders from metal workshops. This ingenious application results in streaked patterns, reminiscent of traditional ceramic glazing techniques, displaying a natural progression of colors from blue-green to warm orangey browns and green-greys. Internally, these new spaces present a raw, cave-like plaster finish, creating an intimate and earthy atmosphere.

Within the heart of the renovated Haniyasu House, the central area of the former structure now encompasses an expansive atelier, living room, and kitchen, elegantly framed by the textured, curved volumes of the additions. Sliding glass doors open this vibrant communal space onto a south-facing terrace, fostering a connection with the outdoors. Each of the three corner volumes serves as a dual-purpose area for individual family members, combining sleeping quarters with dedicated workspaces; the parents' areas double as pottery studios, while the architects' spaces are furnished with desks. The fourth volume, situated to the northeast, houses a traditional tea room that also functions as a guest bedroom, complete with tatami mats and a square skylight, offering a serene and introspective retreat. This holistic approach to design not only addresses the functional needs of a multi-generational household but also deeply embeds the family's artistic practices into the very fabric of their home, creating a living masterpiece that celebrates heritage, sustainability, and creative expression.

Haniyasu House is a testament to the power of thoughtful design, demonstrating how architectural innovation can be harmoniously integrated with artistic practice and environmental consciousness. By repurposing waste materials and drawing inspiration from ancient mythology, Aatismo has not only crafted a dwelling but has also woven a narrative of continuity, creativity, and ecological responsibility. This project exemplifies how architecture can transcend mere functionality to become a profound expression of identity and a beacon of sustainable living, inspiring future generations to find beauty and purpose in every element of their environment.