Four-cornered villa

Four-cornered villa is a sustainable country cottage.

The cross like shape of this simple villa reaches towards four very different views. The space is open and defined at the same time. The exterior is treated black and to contrast the interior is very light.

The building is insulated well and heated by wood from own forest only. There is only solar electricity and no running water. Vegetables are grown on own land and the lake surrounding the island is famous as a good fishing spot. The simple and ascetic life at the countryside differs dramatically from the hectic city life.

The site is situated on a horse shoe shaped island and faces north and east. The cross like shape of this simple villa reaches towards four very different views. The space is open and defined at the same time.

The exterior is treated all black and to contrast the interior is very light. Dark color makes the building disappear totally when seen from the lake. The roof is flat – there is some warm irony to the clichés of modern architecture.

The building is insulated well and heated by wood only resulting in a carbon neutral building. There is no running water and the electricity is provided by the sun. Vegetables and herbs are cultivated on site and the Vaskivesi Lake is known as a good place to catch pike-perch. The simple and ascetic life at the countryside differs dramatically from the hectic city life and provides a possibility to live a life with a minimum impact to the nature

Four-cornered villa - Building Information

Project title: Four-cornered villa
Location: Virrat
Design and construction: 2008-10
Gross floor area:78 sqm
Budget: 150 000 €
Client: The architect
Structural design: Konstru Oy / Jorma Eskola
Electrical design: Virtain Sähkötyö Oy / Väinö Sipilä
Photos: kuvio.com / Anders Portman and Martin Sommerschield

avanto architects ltd based in Helsinki

Recent Finnish building by Avanto Architects:

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/finland/four_corner_villa.htm