LAMINAM Talks – Juha Paananen

There is a place in Finland where architecture and nature come together in a unique, serene expression. It is Villa Prykä, a residence situated at the mouth of the Oulujoki river, designed to embrace the light and spirit of urban life, while integrating with a breathtaking landscape. 

In order to fully understand this vision, we talked to Juha Paananen Architect from Arkkijussi Oy, the architectural practice behind the project. Scandinavian architecture has always been an example of balance and tranquillity, and skilful use of materials played a key role in this setting. From the sinuous forms of the façade to the timeless neutral colours, every choice aimed at creating an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, which celebrates the harmony between humans and nature. 

Villa Prykä is not just a house, but the result of profound dialogue with its context. “The customer asked us, as architects, to participate in a competition for a plot at a Finnish housing fair.” Arkkijussi tell us. “Initially, the original design was for another plot, and the project had been approved. However, during the assessment phase the city itself asked whether the builders would be better off acquiring this wonderful position above the estuary, and rework the project. So we redesigned everything to better fit in.” 

The architecture of Villa Prykä is split over two floors, and stands out thanks to its curved façade. “The structure was designed with full consideration given to the site conditions and surrounding landscape,” Arkkijussi explain. The living rooms were positioned on the second floor to guarantee privacy, and at the same time provide a privileged view over the estuary. “The balcony’s curved façade provides a wider view, taking in the entire landscape. The choice of materials, such as dark thermowood, creates a visual contrast which highlights the lightness of the entire structure.” 

Scandinavian design offers a refuge of calm in an increasingly frenetic world, and Arkkijussi’s design philosophy always prioritises people. “In our architecture, residents are at the centre of everything: we are committed to planning the architecture and design, including the lighting and material choices, to support the residential function and create a pleasant living experience. Harmony between the materials and the tactile sensation are the lynchpins of our design. We believe that this approach increases the well-being of the home’s inhabitants each and every day.” 

For many internal areas, the choice fell on LAMINAM surfaces, from the Calce collection. When we asked them the reasons for this choice, Arkkijussi were very clear: “We were looking for a large, uniform surface which would convey calm. The local reseller also aided us in our choice, helping us understand the fabrication possibilities for the slabs. The large sizes offered by Laminam allowed us to obtain surfaces with very tight grout lines, ensuring an extremely uniform and resilient result.” 

The versatility of Laminam’s ceramics made it possible to use the same material for a range of different rooms and elements, such as walls and worktops, creating continuous and harmonious aesthetic lines. “The Calce collection was chosen for the calm it provides to the residential context, allowing great versatility of use,” the architects explained. 

The Laminam collections, which were a great success in this project, have become a go-to for the architects. “We were introduced to the products thanks to this project, and since then we have used Laminam’s collections in a range of other jobs,” Arkkijussi conclude. 

Villa Prykä is one of the buildings chosen for Housing Fair 2025, a prestigious Finnish exhibition dedicated to low-emission construction with a connection to nature. Participation in such an important even highlights Villa Prykä’s key role in the country’s architectural landscape. 

“Exhibitions are an excellent opportunity to present new architecture and new materials, generating discussion and interest,” Arkkijussi confirm. “An opportunity to show the results that good overall planning can achieve, and highlight the importance of good sustainable architecture to huge numbers of visitors.” 

It is a choice perfectly in keeping with the mission of Laminam, which has always been committed to reducing its environmental impact in terms of its products and processes. Villa Prykä is a shining example of how an architectural project can be much more than a simple day-to-day living space: a refuge which celebrates harmony and timeless beauty, where the choice of materials, such as Laminam’s Calce surface, helps define an atmosphere of peace and well-being.