07/05/2026
Affordable state-subsidised single-family house from 1985.
Did you know that in Finland between 1969 and 1996, personal state subsidised loans were available for the construction, purchase, renovation and basic improvement of single-family houses and the purchase of owner apartments?
Income and cost restrictions were strict, and the size and space planning requirements were practically the same as in other subsidized housing.
Kirsti designed this house for a family of 5 in the neighbourhood of post-war single-family homes in a rural municipality. When the original plot was divided in two, a natural courtyard for three generations and two houses was formed.
The wooden reinterpretation of a 1940 & 1950`s house fits naturally into the surroundings. The spatial structure is simple, all rooms revolve around a high central space containing the living room, stairs and a bridge-like corridor connecting the bedrooms upstairs. The heating system is based on heat-storing wood burning fireplace and sauna stove when used assisted with electric radiators.
The solution was probably ahead of its time, and similar compact house type interpretations and zoning were redeveloped 10-20 years later by various parties.
Black and white photos of the time of completion by Kirsti Sivén.
Color photo from the 2020s.
