Honkarakenne provides a 1000 m2 sauna world to Kuopio

PRESS RELEASE 29.6.2018 16:10

Finnish log house manufacturer Honkarakenne provides an approximately 1000 m² log-built sauna world for Matkailukeskus Kuopion Saana Oy. The goal is creating to Finnish Lakeland internationally attractive sauna experiences and other activities providing spare time centre. The construction has begun and travelling centre will be opened to visitors in spring of 2019 in Bellanranta, Kuopio.

The property will consist of three different saunas, a restaurant, spa services, an outdoor pool and a wide 1500 m² terrace area. In the spa area are a 20-person sauna and, for private events, a smaller 8-person sauna. In addition, there is a 12-person smoke sauna at the beach. The indoors will have an eating space for about a 200 people and the summer terrace has room for about a 1000 people. Diverse events and services complete the entirety, such as services directed to boaters and to program service entrepreneurs which provide, for example, SUP-board and kayak renting.

– The advantage of Kuopion Saana is that it’s located in the city centre; on the shores of clean Kallavesi. It’s easy to come here from the city as well as along the waterways. We are expecting also international convention guests. Log-building provides an exclusive ground for sauna experiences and, as a high-class domestic manufacturer, Honkarakenne was a natural choice for us to be our partner, says Raimo Sonninen, Matkailukeskus Kuopion Saana’s chairman of the board of directors.

Behind the travelling centre is a group of entrepreneurs from Kuopio: Raimo Sonninen, Heikki Vienola from Vararengasravintolat Oy, Tuomo Rissanen, Maalaus ja saneeraus Konttinen Oy, RPS Brewing Oy and Juha Heinonen. The vicinity of the project is several million euros from which Honkarakenne’s delivery’s share is approximately 600,000 €.

– Log is a familiar and cosy building material for the Finnish; there are many ways to use it. Modern log technology allows architectonically ambitious buildings’ realisation and Kuopion Saana will be a fantastic example of it, comments CEO Marko Saarelainen from Honkarakenne.

The building material is non-settling log which was brought to the market by Honkarakenne. It enables modern architecture that is easily combined with other materials. The architectural planning was done by QVIM Arkkitehdit from Kuopio.

– The shape of the building got its inspiration from boating. The roof, which reminds of a sail, gives the building a distinct look and protects the customers on the terrace from wind and rain. Scenery windows open out remarkable views to Kallavesi. The exteriors walls are mainly solid logs which is pleasant to watch and touch, describes architect Jouni Ilmarinen from QVIM Arkkitehdit.

An illustration image is downloadable in honka.com/media

More information:

Marko Saarelainen, CEO, +358 40 542 0254, marko.saarelainen@honka.com, Honkarakenne 0yj

Raimo Sonninen, chairman of the board of directors, +358 400 672 414, raimo.sonninen@bellaboats.com, Matkailukeskus Kuopion Saana Oy

Jouni Ilmarinen, +358 10 328 8747, jouni.ilmarinen@qvim.fi, QVIM Arkkitehdit Oy

Honkarakenne Oyj manufactures with its Honka®-trademark high-class, ecological, and healthy log homes and holiday lodges, but also public buildings from Finnish solid log. The company, founded in 1958, has delivered over 85,000 buildings to 50 countries. Prefabricated log homes are manufactured in the company’s own factory in Karstula, Finland. In 2017 Honkarakenne-concern’s revenue was 43,4 million euros, from which export’s share was 41 %. www.honka.fi

Matkailukeskus Kuopion Saana Oy was founded by a group of entrepreneurs based in Kuopio in May of 2017. In the spring of 2019, opening of the Kuopion Saana Oy will provide sauna experiences, numerous activities and events at a pure environment on the beach of Kallavesi. The goal is to develop the area into a year-round traveling centre which presents proudly the region’s know-how and provides unforgettable experiences for both travellers and locals.