Villa Samurai

A log building, built in 1951, has been extended to create a new residential unit. The name of the house refers to the desired atmosphere and dynamism. The Japanese garden surrounding the building is due to be completed in the near future. The design concept was a four-storey-high building with a very steep roof plane. The roof is indeed like the slash of a samurai sword. Another aesthetic goal was to give an architectural interpretation of the mind-set of the so-called Helsinki School of photography. The project involves an innovative building technique. The roof was first built in the horizontal plane and then, using huge hinges, gradually turned upright. This removed the need to climb on the roof. The interior balustrades are an expressionistic artwork. A variety of unique uses of wood have been experimented with in the facades, such as scaly planks that curve longitudinally. Part of the facades has been subdivided into cassettes in accordance with the bearing structure. The facade boarding was made from the scaffolding used during the building construction by sawing the planks on site into scantlings.