Dezeen Magazine

MNy Arkitekter uses seven types of timber for Finnish lake house

MNy Arkitekter has used seven varieties of timber to create this gabled house on the shoreline of a small lake in Tenala, Finland (+ slideshow).

Local studio MNy Arkitekter gave House Åkerudden a gabled form that references the existing architecture in Tenala, a rural community around 60 miles west of Helsinki.

Akerudden by MNy Arkitekter
Photography by Mathias Nyström.

But studio founder Mathias Nyström selected an assortment of treated and untreated timbers to subtly distinguish it from its neighbours.

"The building's idiom is simple and oblong and it settles naturally into the open field landscape," said Nyström.

"In its simplicity and apparent modesty, it approaches vernacular architecture without mimicking it," he added. "The goals were authenticity, simplicity, locality and sustainability."

Akerudden by MNy Arkitekter

The house's timber structure is made from locally sourced spruce, which is treated with white-tinted oil and left exposed throughout the interior.

The framework rests on oak batons and is completely clad in vertically arranged lengths of aspen.

Akerudden by MNy Arkitekter

Inside, walls and ceilings are lined in a combination of oiled and untreated black alder panelling.

The floor and two terraces that project from either side of the house are made from Oregon pine sourced from a nearby forest.

Akerudden by MNy Arkitekter

A smattering of brightly coloured and patterned textiles offset oak veneer, pine and larch surfaces in the open-plan lounge and kitchen, which occupies one half of the house.

This double-height space is heated by a wood-burning stove. It features large sliding glass doors that give views down to the lake.

Akerudden by MNy Arkitekter

"The explosive verdancy of spring, romantic glow of summer fields, earthy colours of autumn and dazzlingly clean light reflected off winter snow create their own atmospheres in interior spaces," said the architect.

Akerudden by MNy Arkitekter

"More private spaces are located in an area shielded from sight from the entry, opening out into the morning sun."

Akerudden by MNy Arkitekter
Photography by Mathias Nyström.

The other half of the house contains bedrooms, bathrooms and a study with wire-frame bookshelves. The two spaces are separated by the entrance hall.

Akerudden by MNy Arkitekter
Photography by Mathias Nyström.

A narrow staircase lined in black-painted oriented strand board leads up to a small loft overlooking the living area can be used as an extra bedroom or lounge.

Akerudden by MNy Arkitekter

Photography is by Kuvio Architectural Photography unless otherwise stated.


Project credits:

Architect: MNy Arkitekter, Mathias Nyström
Construction: Ingenjörsbyrå Fagerholm, Ronnie Fagerholm, S-Trä Öb, Svante Andström, Mathias Nyström
HPAC: VVS-planering Robert Malmberg
Electrical designer: Eltjänst Jörgen Wikman
Timber: S-Trä Öb, Svante Andström, Tenala Cirkelsåg, Stefans Såg och gräv
Contractors: Ronnys Bygg S-Trä Öb, Karis VVS-torg, Hangö Eletriska
Site supervisor: Jonas Lindholm, Lentus