Natural and healthy log-built spaces provide everyday life in a care facility with particular comfort and vitality. This has been noticed in Kotokaari, a retirement and assisted living facility in Karvia, Finland, whose residents moved to the nursing home built from Honkarakenne logs in January 2020.
Tiina Ylikoski and Tiina Hiltunen, the entrepreneurs of the care facility, wanted to build a nursing home where ‘all the old folk would feel comfortable’.
When exploring different options, the entrepreneurs visited a few facilities by Mediset Hoivarakentajat, of which the log-built daycare centre made a lasting impression on them. ‘Earlier, I had a hard time believing that log as a material could impact the quality of indoor air, but visiting that daycare centre changed my view completely,’ describes Tiina Hiltunen.
As soon as I stepped in, I noticed the difference. Indoor air is indeed different in a log building.
Tiina Hiltunen, co-owner of Kotokaari
The entrepreneurs almost become emotional when describing the move into the new premises. ‘The residents were so happy! They slept well at night, stayed on the move during the day and became so much more refreshed. Even the 90-year-olds got more energy! I’m so happy for our residents.’
The sensory friendliness of the log building affects the daily life of every resident. ‘Even a memory-impaired resident can notice the difference. This place is so clean, and it’s so easy to breathe here.’ The practical nurse entrepreneurs describe how the bells do not ring anymore during the night shifts. ‘They’re really sleeping in there!’
More persons that can be accommodated would want to move in. ‘So many people would like to live here. The capacity of the care facility has been met fast. The only message we have got is that everyone wants to move to Kotokaari!’
The entrepreneurs are also happy about employees feeling well on the log-built premises. ‘We don’t have to worry about anyone of our personnel getting sick because of the indoor air. We are really happy that this building is made of logs.”
“We want to make our residents and employees comfortable, and the log structure and clean indoor air have a great impact on their wellbeing.”
Facts:
- Project type: nursing home for senior
- Gross area: 800 m2
- Customer places: 20
- Architecture: Mediset Hoivarakentajat based on the entrepreneurs plan
- Construction: Prime constructor Mediset Hoivarakentajat, Honka delivered logs and log frame installation
- Wall structure: non-settling Honka Fusion logs FXL204
- Construction time: 2019
- Location: Karvia, Suomi
- More information: https://kotokaari.fi/
Honka Projects
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