House Kapanen

Dream home with American appeal

Former NHL ice hockey player Sami Kapanen built his 600 m2 Honka log home in Kuopio where he originally hails from. His family, who spent more than a decade in the United States, are delighted with the tranquil atmosphere of the house, built using only natural materials.

The architect Asko Lax’s design was informed by the customers own wishes and preferences. Three storeys high, the building’s facade includes a two-storey, eight-pane bay window made from stone and glass that offers open views across the nearby lake. The downstairs bay is used as a dining area, while the space above it is accessible via the master bedroom and used as a lounge area with panoramic views.

Comfort and indoor air quality were the factors that led the Kapanen family to choose an authentic and long-lasting solid wood log structure instead of stone.

I just really like the way log houses look and I think they work well in the Finnish landscape and climate. Our new house looks right at home in our Kuopio suburb.”

Sami Kapanen, customer

• Building type: Residential home
• Living area: 545 m2
• Number of rooms: 11
• Architect: Asko Lax
• Construction year: 2010
• Wall structure: Squared log, thickness 270 mm
• Method of heating: Geothermal heat pump + underfloor heating
• Location: Kuopio, Finland