This house in Finland has a very steep roof plane which echoes the slash of a samurai sword
A log building in Finland, originally built in 1951, has been extended to create a new residential unit. The name of the house reflects the desired atmosphere and dynamism of the building. The design concept was for a four-storey-high building with a very steep roof plane with the roof echoing the slash of a samurai sword.
Another aesthetic goal was to give an architectural interpretation of the mind-set of the so-called Helsinki School of photography, an existential movement of photography. The architects thought was: how would Helsinki School of photography appear if it was about architectural creation? It should be simple, simultaneously bohemian and Spartan, romantic and ascetic.
The project also involves an innovative building technique. The roof was first built in the horizontal plane and then, using huge hinges, gradually turned upright. This removed the need to climb on the roof.
The interior balustrades are an expressionistic artwork. A variety of unique uses of wood have been experimented within the facades, such as scaly planks that curve longitudinally. Part of the facades has been subdivided into cassettes in accordance with the bearing structure. The facade boarding was made sustainably from the scaffolding used during the building construction by sawing the planks on site into scantlings. The Japanese garden surrounding the building is due to be completed in the very near future.