FROM WOOD TO ARCHITECTURE |
Villa Långbo
Kemiö, Finland, 1994-2000.
Design: Olavi Koponen
is located on a windy site at the western point of an island in Kirnito in southwestern Finland. The building is sited just within the edge of a forest. It is only partially visible from the distance/ but affords perfect views over the seascape.
The building was originally intended as a farmhouse, but so far if is only used as a holiday home. Some of the spaces can be converted into farm production facilities. The building process was exceptionally long and complicated. The original plan for a single, elongated, roofed space has changed into a U-shaped scheme. The structure is simple, and such that construction work could be carried out under the roof from an early stage.
One of the points of departure for the building's architecture is the fleeting nature of human existence in comparison with the eternity of nature. Man marks a territory out and builds a roof over his head, a primitive hut as a place to stand guard and pray. In this wilderness territory of human existence Finns have always sought to find their soul and their gods.
Another point of departure was the wish to dissolve the boundary between nature and the building by manipulating texture and transparency. The room programme is divided into private and public spaces, which can also function as separate units. Each space has its individual character through variation in atmosphere, lighting and links with nature.
Photos: Jussi Tiainen