Green light for the sauna center designed by Olla for Hietaniemi strand path
The project known by its working title “Kylä” is a unique leisure destination inspired by Finnish wooden building tradition, situated near downtown Helsinki. In 2023, the project was showcased in Venice during the Architecture Biennale as an example of the integration of traditional and modern construction methods.
In 2022, the City of Helsinki held a competition for sauna and restaurant concepts in various locations. Olla and Laguuni Oy won the Hietaniemi site, and the project is now moving forward, with plans receiving city approval in March 2025.
Kylä (Village) combines sauna culture with water sports and will be operated by Laguuni, a company offering diverse watersport experiences. Laguuni is also known for its Baltic Sea Plogging initiative, offering free cleanup kayaks for paddlers to pick up trash while exploring the sea.
At the heart of the Kylä project is a vision to strengthen Helsinki’s maritime identity by creating a new space for people to connect with the water. Its architecture draws inspiration from the Finnish archipelago and showcases traditional wooden craftsmanship for all city residents to experience. The public sauna, restaurant, and wakeboarding center blend with their surroundings, enhancing the waterfront without altering its character. Designed on a human scale, Kylä respects both the environment and its visitors. Rather than dominating the landscape, its architecture harmonizes with it, offering a natural and inviting retreat by the sea.
In 2023, the Kylä project gained international recognition at the Time Space Existence exhibition, held alongside the Venice Architecture Biennale. As a satellite event of the main exhibition, it showcased various studies on sustainable development from around the world. Kylä was featured as an example of how combining modern and traditional construction methods can minimize a building’s carbon footprint and energy consumption while creating a socially sustainable gathering place for all city residents.
Read the full project presentation here and a description of the Venice Biennale experience here.
Inquiries:
Mikko Lahikainen, CEO & Lead Architect
mikko.lahikainen@olla.fi
