Four-cornered Villa / Avanto Architects

Architects: Avanto Architects
Location: Virrat, Finland
Project area: 78 sqm
Project year: 2008 - 2010
Photographs: Kuvio – Anders Portman and Martin Sommerschield

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.