An impressive three-storey log house for ice hockey player Sami Kapanen has been completed on the shore of Lake Kallavesi in Kuopio. The former NHL star and now captain of KalPa realised his long-term ambition by having his dream home built in his home town. The house has been influenced by his years in America.

‘Talo Kapanen’ built by Honka, which produces individual residential houses for both the international and Finnish markets, is a unique building whose living area covers almost 600sqm. With the spa section in the cellar, the garage, and the technical facilities included, the surface area rises to almost 1,000 sqm, making the house one of the largest private log-framed private houses ever built in Finland.

Living comfort and everyday luxury

Architect and industrial designer Asko Lax, who has created impressive log houses in numerous countries, was the chief architect in charge of Talo Kapanen. The Honka Design Service, specialised in the creation of dream homes for customers, was responsible for the structural design.

“The starting points of the design were the wishes of the owner, the location of the south-facing lakeside plot, the winding shape and the opportunities presented by massive logs,” says Asko Lax.

The use of space in the house, which has been influenced by American residential house architecture, accommodates the needs of adults and children alike. The space divides into private and public sections, the atmosphere of which is adjusted by carefully planned lighting.

Special facilities have been designed for daily and festivity dining. The functional kitchen covers an area of almost 40sqm. The American-style staircase with its wrought-iron banisters leads upstairs, where there are five spacious bedrooms. The master bedroom has access to a large dressing room. The four children also have their own walk-in clothes closets, and separate bathrooms for boys and girls.

“The owner wanted to locate the bedrooms and private living areas in peaceful surroundings upstairs,” says Lax. “The spacious downstairs area, the large dining room and roomy sauna facilities provide plenty of opportunity for entertaining. Downstairs there is also an entertainment and guest room and an office for the master of the house.”

Asko Lax, who has created impressive log houses in numerous countries, was the chief architect in charge of Talo Kapanen. The Honka Design Service, specialised in the creation of dream homes for customers, was responsible for the structural design.

“The starting points of the design were the wishes of the owner, the location of the south-facing lakeside plot, the winding shape and the opportunities presented by massive logs,” says Asko Lax.

The use of space in the house, which has been influenced by American residential house architecture, accommodates the needs of adults and children alike. The space divides into private and public sections, the atmosphere of which is adjusted by carefully planned lighting.

Special facilities have been designed for daily and festivity dining. The functional kitchen covers an area of almost 40sqm. The American-style staircase with its wrought-iron banisters leads upstairs, where there are five spacious bedrooms. The master bedroom has access to a large dressing room. The four children also have their own walk-in clothes closets, and separate bathrooms for boys and girls.

“The owner wanted to locate the bedrooms and private living areas in peaceful surroundings upstairs,” says Lax. “The spacious downstairs area, the large dining room and roomy sauna facilities provide plenty of opportunity for entertaining. Downstairs there is also an entertainment and guest room and an office for the master of the house.”

The colour scheme of the surface materials is calm and restrained. The log frame of the entrance floor is pale beige, and the floors have been processed black throughout. On the upstairs walls, pale yellow shades are prominent.

Owner attracted by nature and natural materials

Sami Kapanen says that the appearance of log houses that suit the Finnish climate and landscape has always been pleasing to his eye. Thanks to massive wood, the internal air and humidity balance in the house can be kept at healthy levels. “The peaceful and comfortable atmosphere of the home is born of genuine natural materials,” says Kapanen.

The beautiful lakeside plot provides a wonderful setting for Kapanen’s home, whose large windows and terraces offer views of Kallavesi. You can see the lake through the lounge windows as soon as you walk in through the front door. The Jynkkä district near the centre of Kuopio yet close to nature is a sparsely built suburb, well suited for the lives of this sporty family. Schools and sporting venues are conveniently located close by.

The aim: a small carbon footprint

Sami Kapanen wanted his log house to have the best A-class energy efficiency rating. The carbon footprint of living is kept moderate, thanks to Honka’s largest Honka Major log and sealing solutions that increase energy efficiency. Geothermal heat based on renewable energy was selected as the form of heating. In summer the heat pump can also be used to cool the building. The house’s calculated energy efficiency index (kWh/gsm/year) is 143.

The building’s heating economy, lighting and access control have been implemented by a bus-based automatic system, which optimises energy consumption, ventilation, heating and lighting and, at the same time, monitors security, whether the family is at home or out.

Additional information

Honkarakenne Oyj, Communications Manager Johanna Kaunisto, +358 40 773 3023, johanna.kaunisto@honka.com

Architect Asko Lax, tel. +358 40 501 4565

Printable images can be downloaded at: www.honka.com -> Media -> Photos

www.honka.com -> Media -> Photos

Requests for images can also be made directly to: Anna Kilpinen, tel. +358 40 838 3682, anna.kilpinen@honka.com

Caption

“The interior design, which is in the American country style, will be completed by the end of the year with furniture and interior design products imported from the USA. For the housewarming party held in October, the Asko furniture store in Kuopio, interior design products specialist Puttipaja and Viherlandia created temporary festive interiors for Talo Kapanen in the same style.”

House Kapanen

Contractee: Sami Kapanen, Kuopio
House delivery: Honkarakenne Oyj, Marko Urpilainen
Customer’s supervisor: Ari Mäki, Talosuunnittelu Ari Mäki
Main contractor: Veikko Raatikainen, Vesrak Oy
Chief Architect: Asko Lax, Asko Lax Oy
Master plan and working drawings: Tuomo Eilola, TE Suunnittelu Oy
Construction designer (wooden structures): Matti Yli-Sissala, Honkarakenne Oyj
HEPAC designer Jorma Kauppinen, Ins.tsto LVI-Planor Oy
Electrical designer: Jouni Väisänen, Sähkötel Oy
Floor space: 599sqm, gross floor area 970.5sqm (including cellar)
Net floor area: 545sqm (+ 193.5sqm in cellar)
Volume: 3,800cbm, 11 rooms.
Log type: Honka Major™, 270mm
Energy class: A