A unique luxury villa on Airisto – A work of art seamlessly embedded in nature

In this family’s holiday home, designed for an aesthete and passionate sailor, a deep appreciation for crafted beauty meets the raw authenticity of the Finnish archipelago. The result is a modern, striking log villa – a masterpiece that is both welcoming and perfectly attuned to its surroundings.

A luxury villa in a maritime landscape

At the top of a long flight of steps rising from the shoreline cliffs, the building quite literally takes one’s breath away – even the fittest climber pauses, overcome by admiration. Nestled among pine trees and echoing the tones of their trunks stands the villa, designed by architect Seppo Mäntylä and realised by Honka.

As one approaches, the stairs soften into gentle, wave-like forms and the pace naturally slows. This flowing geometry continues in the roofline facing the sea and in the balustrade of the seemingly floating terrace. The sea-facing façade is almost entirely glazed. In the vast windows, the surrounding archipelago is reflected – pines, sea and sky merging into one. The house feels less like an object placed in nature and more like an extension of it: a piece of inhabitable art.

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An exceptional holiday home in an exceptional setting

The setting – the Turku Archipelago – has always been close to Pentti’s heart. He has sailed these waters all his life.

“Some years ago, I started dreaming of a simple sauna cabin in the archipelago – a place of our own where we could stop during sailing trips. When we found a sunny headland on an island, I bought it. Already during the first summer, we realised that the old cabin had reached the end of its life. Together with my wife, Ulla-Maija, we decided that such a special place deserved a truly special villa,” Pentti recalls.

“For Pentti, sailing and life at sea mean everything. I, on the other hand, had never particularly dreamed of a holiday home in the archipelago,” Ulla-Maija continues. “But when the opportunity arose to build a house that would truly reflect us, I became enthusiastic. I didn’t want anything ordinary. When I came across a log house Seppo Mäntylä had designed for the Mikkeli Housing Fair, I knew immediately that I wanted something along those lines. We contacted the architect, and his ideas and vision could not have been adapted to this site more perfectly.”

But when the opportunity arose to build a house that would truly reflect us, I became enthusiastic. I didn’t want anything ordinary.

Ulla-Maija, customer

A flawlessly executed building project

Once the old cabin had been demolished and the new villa designed, the couple carefully evaluated potential partners.

“We went through an extensive tendering process and chose Honka because the Frame concept suited the design perfectly – and the pricing was competitive. From the very beginning, everything progressed exceptionally smoothly with Honka. Their local sales representative, Christer Sundström, had excellent connections, and through him we found, among others, an outstanding main contractor,” Pentti says.

Building on an island – and particularly on top of a high rocky outcrop – naturally comes with challenges. Yet with experienced, well-connected partners, everything ran seamlessly. Piling began in autumn 2023, and construction started in spring 2024. The logs and windows were flown in by helicopter from the mainland, while the kitchen units and other large elements were transported by boat to the shore and then hauled up using electric wheelbarrows. The construction phase took just under a year, without unnecessary complications.

“I handled the project management myself, but all actual construction work was left to professionals. At no point did we feel out of our depth. Everything has been done with such care and precision that we haven’t found a single detail where the workmanship isn’t perfect,” Pentti says with satisfaction.

Designed for effortless family life

The villa has been a shared project not only for the couple but for the entire family. Children and grandchildren were involved in decision-making, including furniture selections.

“It was important to us that everyone feels this place is theirs. Here, everyone is seen and heard, and everyone has contributed something to the project. Even the name of the villa – Villa Adoraava – was created together with our grandchildren, combining the names of our dogs,” Ulla-Maija explains.

All actual construction work was left to professionals. At no point did we feel out of our depth. Everything has been done with such care and precision.

Pentti, customer

Ease and functionality have guided every choice. Thanks to smart-home solutions, everything from lighting to heating can be controlled remotely via smartphone. Instead of a manicured garden, the grounds are left largely in their natural state. The villa is equipped with electric incinerating toilets, its own well and water purification system. Heating and cooling are handled by air-source heat pumps, supported by a heat-storing fireplace. A window-cleaning robot takes care of the expansive glazing. Furnishings are deliberately restrained.

“We wanted only the essentials here – carefully chosen pieces and nothing superfluous. The building itself is allowed to take centre stage. The minimalist approach is also a form of healthy laziness,” Ulla-Maija laughs. “It’s wonderfully easy to keep the place clean.”

Natural luxury and profound tranquillity

Pentti describes the atmosphere of the villa as uniquely serene. Ulla-Maija says this is perhaps best illustrated by their dog Aava, a sensitive soul who completely relaxes here – all tension simply dissolves.

Nature surrounds the building on all sides, and thanks to the expansive windows, even indoors one feels immersed in the landscape. “It’s deeply calming,” Pentti explains. “There’s something of the same feeling as sailing.”

“And although we can see far out to sea, the sea cannot see us,” Ulla-Maija adds. “At first, I wondered whether sitting in the sauna behind those large windows might feel like being on display – but it doesn’t. We can enjoy the heat and the views in complete privacy.”

Building facts:

• Residents: Ulla-Maija and Pentti, with dogs Aava, Adora and Helmi
• Design: Bespoke Honka Frame CLT log home – Architect Seppo Mäntylä
• Log: Non-settling Honka Fusion+ CLT log FXL 204 mm, zero corner, pine
• Gross floor area: 128 m²
• Net living area: 118 m²
• Layout: Entrance hall, 2 bedrooms, open-plan kitchen and living area, bathroom, sauna, 2 WCs
• Exterior log finish: Tikkurila Valtti Color, shade 5071 Tatti
• Interior log finish: Teknos Helo Solana Wax, shade T302
• Flooring: Innofloor B:hard hardened wood floor, Saphir, Forte lacquer
• Ceiling panels: Botnia Panels, white oak / black
• Fixed furniture: Puustelli and Charmia
• Location: Turku archipelago
• Year of construction: 2025
• Honka ID: 4020685

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