Blue Mountain - Collaboratorio

Blue Mountain is a holiday home on Palosaari island in Mäntyharju, Southern Savo. Conceived as a research project and experimental house, it asks a simple question: what kind of architecture can be created when the well-being of people and nature comes first?

At the centre of the project are unfired compressed earth blocks and their visual, structural and indoor air qualities. The architecture is shaped by the natural appearance and structural properties of the material, allowing the earth to remain clearly visible throughout the building. When completed, Blue Mountain will be the first new building made of compressed earth in Finland.

Blue Mountain encourages slowing down and reconnecting with nature, away from the distractions of modern life. The functions of the holiday home are divided into three separate “houses”, which, together with the greenroof made with Finnish kuntta above them, form a sheltered courtyard. Alternating indoor and outdoor spaces and curated views of the surrounding landscape weave nature into the spatial experience. Fire is also present throughout the house, with six fireplaces in total. In keeping with the aim of slowing down, the house follows a low-tech approach, implementing only the necessary modern technology. In winter, it can be left cold without the need for any additional heating.

The building is constructed from prefabricated Luonnonbetoni uninsulated and unfired compressed earth blocks. The project tests their installation, connections and detailing in practice for the first time. The blocks are laid with a specially developed mortar and treated externally with a vapour-permeable wax coating. This creates a single-material, breathable and weather-resistant earth wall, with the material left exposed both inside and outside.

Timber roof structures and details complement the earth construction. The foundations are made from local granite, while the sand used in construction comes directly from the site. The chosen natural materials are local, simple and healthy, and the use of concrete, plastics and glues has been kept to a minimum.

Recycled materials also play an important role in the project. Luonnonbetoni’s compressed earth blocks currently contain 30 % recycled material, with the future aim of producing them almost entirely from recycled materials. Recycled foam glass is used as insulation under the floor.

Blue Mountain is an example of sustainable architecture that seeks to minimise the use of building materials harmful to people and nature.