At first glance, this house looks as though it has stood here for a century. In reality, it was built in 2018. It perfectly captures a modern Scandinavian approach to design—one that respects the past while embracing contemporary living.
The home is located in Purmo, a small municipality in western Finland with a population of about 1,400, not far from the Gulf of Bothnia. Covering 165 square meters (approx. 1,776 sq ft), it includes five bedrooms, a living room, and a separate dining room. It is home to the Hallund family—a young couple, their three children, and a cat.
Emma’s family has lived in Purmo for around 400 years. Her ancestors settled here in the 1700s, and generation after generation has remained deeply connected to the area.
“I belong to the Purmamar family line going back at least sixteen generations,” Emma said in an interview. “My family has lived on this land for centuries. No one knows exactly how long because the church records were destroyed in a fire in 1625. This place means everything to me. I simply can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
When Emma and her husband decided to build their own home, they chose a plot of land right next to the houses where her parents and grandparents still live.
Photography: Heikki Rautio
