Villa Asteli
A Premium Villa in Pyhä

Lakeside Plot on Pyhäjärvi 

Amid the COVID years, Helsinki residents Nina and her husband heard from friends that lakeside plots were available for sale on Pyhäjärvi in Pelkosenniemi. Since land for building is rarely available in the area, they went to see the plot in person.

“It was the middle of winter, and my husband and I stood in deep snow in the middle of the forest. The plot was a bit hard to visualize, but we decided to buy it on the spot—it was affordable and in a truly stunning location,” Nina recalls.

A couple of years passed after the purchase before the time felt right to start building. In spring 2024, Nina began exploring different building options more seriously.

“I had sent out quote requests to various house manufacturers, with mixed results. I quickly established a good line of communication with PolarHouse. I got clear answers to my questions, and the collaboration got off to a great start.”

A Contractor Found Through PolarHouse’s Network

As an interior designer, Nina had many visions for the cabin.

“Then we found the Aava model by PolarHouse, and we started customizing the floor plan from there. We altered the layout to create a bit more space in the bedrooms and entrance hall.”

“Even though I love design, material choices had to also reflect durability and cost-effectiveness since we wanted the cabin to be suitable for renting.”

For the Helsinki-based builders, it was essential to find a reliable contractor for the foundation, house package assembly, and interior work. Such a contractor was found through PolarHouse’s network.

Groundwork began in spring 2024, and the house package was delivered in early June. Throughout construction, Nina maintained close communication with the contractor.

“Since I had no previous construction experience, trust in the contractor was crucial. I asked for and received photos showing the building’s progress. This was also important because I had ordered interior surface materials based on concept images. The contractor also helped me schedule material deliveries. In the end, everything went really smoothly, and there were no major surprises. Even the measurements were accurate, and deliveries went well.”

Autumn Colors Inspired the Interior Designer

Nina drew inspiration for the cabin’s interior from Lapland’s enchanting nature.

“I wanted the interior to feel warm and inviting, with lots of muted autumn tones in the color scheme. Interior design is a key mood-setter. It can bring the kind of joy to a rental cabin that I myself look for when on vacation. I didn’t want a standard cabin—I wanted something extra that sets it apart.”

The cabin was completed in time for Christmas 2024. Though the project was fast-paced and time-consuming, Nina is pleased with the result.

“I was really nervous about whether we’d have it finished by Christmas Eve. It was close, but in the end, we spent our first night there on Christmas night. In January, we finished some of the interior details, and since then the cabin has been continuously rented.”

There appears to be demand for high-quality holiday homes in the Pyhätunturi area. In addition to good services, the region offers authentic, down-to-earth nature and peace.

“Top-Level Service”

Nina praises PolarHouse’s expertise and service quality.

“For a first building project, this was a very positive experience. PolarHouse’s service has made me recommend them to friends who are planning to build.”

Next, Nina is already planning landscaping work.

“When summer comes, it’ll be time to tidy up the surroundings of the cabin. The natural forest floor around the house is beautiful, but there’s still plenty to do. I might even build a stone wall around the house resembling a natural rock formation,” Nina plans.

Photos by: Sampsa Sulonen

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