Hietasaaren Lyhty - modern villa in the centre of Oulu

In 2025, the theme of the Oulu Housing Fair will be the responsible use of materials and the adaptability of spaces. One of the most talked-about sites at the event will be Hietasaaren Lyhty (site 9), where traditional villa architecture has been brought to the present day. The three villas, identical in structure but different in atmosphere, embody the cultural and historical layering of Oulu's Hietasaari and the possibilities of modern urban living. The designer of Hietasaaren Lyhdy, architect Jari Haapalahti, designed one of the villas as his own home. This home highlights Haapalahti's design philosophy, where practicality and aesthetics go hand in hand. The upper floor of the house has a small balcony, like a small lantern on the side of the villa. Hence the name, Hietasaaren Lantern.

KUULAS panel with smoke sauna aesthetics crowns the sauna room

The sauna and washrooms are crowned by Siparila's KUULAS sauna panel. The aspen wood panel is used not only on the walls but also on the ceiling, where the floating ceiling structure, combined with indirect lighting, creates a spacious and peaceful atmosphere. The black kaamos shade of the KUULAS panel deepens the effect and adds a smoke sauna aesthetic with a modern touch.

"The KUULAS interior panel brings the atmosphere of an old smoke sauna to the sauna. Its shade, softness and natural properties make it a material you can lean on and stay with for a long time," says architect Jari Haapalahti. The surface of the KUULAS panel made of aspen does not feel hot and scorching, but remains pleasant to the touch despite the heat. Thanks to the concealed fixing, the fixing marks remain hidden and improve the durability of the panel by preventing water from damaging the wood through the nail holes.

Unity and contrast in the washrooms

The washrooms show a thoughtful coordination of materials. The flooring material continues in the same way from one space to the next, creating integrity and continuity - the sauna is accessed directly through a sliding glass door to the terrace, blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces. High-gloss grey, large-format tiles have been chosen for the wall surfaces, providing contrast to the matt floor and the heat-treated aspen and black details. The variation in the gloss levels of the materials also adds visual interest while also acting from a practical point of view - the matt finish reduces slipperiness, an important safety factor.

Space and light on a small plot

The limited space available on the site has been used to the maximum. Large window areas, an open floor plan, high ceilings and the same flooring material inside and out add to the sense of space. For example, the tiled surface between the bathroom and the terrace creates a visual continuity that makes the space feel larger than it is.

"We had all the tools we needed to increase the sense of space - and we did it. Terraces, large windows, uniform materials and floating ceilings are all part of the mix," says Jari Haapalahti

Villa culture and year-round use

Hietasaaren Lyhty draws inspiration from Oulu's historical villa culture, especially from the 1940s and 50s, when the area was a bustling summer destination. The atmosphere is created by architectural details - vertical cladding, large bay windows, playful spatial solutions and a compact form - reminiscent of a traditional villa. But the spaces are not just for summer use. The design takes into account the needs of year-round living with storage and technical facilities.

Choices and domesticity

The project has been long and has required close cooperation between the different actors - a lot of meetings, revisions and brainstorming, but the end result is rewarding. Finnishness has been strongly present in the choice of materials. It is estimated that around 85% of all building and interior materials are domestic. This is of great importance to architects.

"I was already familiar with the KUULAS panel from a previous project. When I saw it in this space, together with the chosen ceiling material, I knew it was the right choice. Homeliness, durability and atmosphere - they all come together in this product," says architect Haapalahti.

KUULAS panel - at the heart of the Finnish sauna

The KUULAS panel brings to the sauna what cannot be measured in squares: atmosphere, emotion and time to stop. Hietasaari's Lantern shows how even a small space can have a big soul when design and materials meet in the right way.

See the KUULAS panel and other Siparila interior panels