Old chicken coop becomes an atmospheric sauna—“We preserved everything we could or replaced it with materials in keeping with the spirit of the era”
This old chicken coop in Huittinen, Southern Finland, served as a workshop and as wood storage until Malla Peltola and Hannu Laine turned it into a sauna. Now it’s a true oasis of relaxation, renovated preserving the old.
Laughter echoes through the summer evening, as Malla Peltola and Hannu Laine dash outside with towels around them to cool off. No adventure is too daunting for these two, especially when it comes to renovation. This time, they joined forces to transform a chicken coop into a cozy sauna cabin.
The sauna stands on the property Malla and Hannu bought in 2014. It was also the first structure on the property they renovated. Both had always dreamed of an old-fashioned outdoor sauna, complete with a wood-burning stove and water heated in a cauldron. It became their base camp and a center of well-being while they finished the other buildings.
“When we first saw this former chicken coop, it was raining and dark on a fall evening. Even we had to stretch our imagination to see it as a sauna,” Malla recalls.
“But I’m sure Malla already had a vision in her mind. That’s how we set out on this project, with a little help from our tools,” Hannu adds, laughing.
The lounge room of the sauna now occupies what used to be a woodworking shop; the walls were lined with carpentry tools, and a workbench stood beneath the window. The windows were much smaller than the current ones.
A doorway in the back corner led to the old chicken coop area, which was packed with lumber for woodworking. Today, that space holds the actual sauna.
“We expected the building might not be in top condition. Neither of us was afraid to roll up our sleeves,” Malla remembers.
“We started the project together and finished it together,” Hannu says, evidently pleased.
The guiding principle of the renovation was authenticity.
All loose items were removed, and some surface materials were taken out due to their poor condition. The doorway between the old workshop and the coop was closed off. New floors were poured in every room, with professional help.
The sauna cabin began to take shape with new doorways and windows. A custom glass door was installed between the sauna and the washroom.
“I was holding, for the first time, a rotary hammer drill to remove old plaster from the walls. We discovered original brick underneath. After that, I wouldn’t have wanted to let go of my new favorite tool,” Malla says.
The guiding principle of the renovation was authenticity. They preserved everything they could or replaced it with materials in keeping with the spirit of the era. Some compromises, however, had to be made.
“We spent a lot of time choosing the material for the lounge floor and finally ended up with vinyl. It won’t be damaged even if the building is left unheated at times,” Hannu explains.
“For the washroom floor, we chose wooden grating to bring an old-time feel. Tiling was off the table,” Malla says.
Renovating the sauna building cost less than 10,000 euros because the couple did a lot of the work themselves.
The most eye-catching features in the sauna are birch trunks that were felled on the property. Soft light glows from handmade fixtures in the corners. Even the water flows through a pipe fitted into a birch trunk, complete with a faucet Hannu installed for convenience.
“Originally, no water came in or out of the building. Now we get cold water, and drainage was installed. We get hot water from the sauna stove’s tank or from the cauldron,” Hannu explains.
“Even though it was a big job, we never hesitated taking it on. The renovation cost less than ten thousand euros. By doing the work ourselves, we kept expenses in check,” Malla reflects.
When the thermometer hits 60°C, Malla and Hannu head for the benches. They heat up the sauna at least five times a week, rain or shine.
A typical sauna session lasts about an hour. Malla and Hannu go for two rounds on the benches, cooling off in between. Firing up the sauna is Hannu’s job—or “the old man’s job,” as Malla playfully calls it.
On hockey nights, Hannu lights the first load of firewood before the second period starts. During the last intermission, he tops off the stove firebox so the sauna will be ready right after the game.
“Before the sauna, we might have a quick coffee. Afterwards, we grill sausages in the iron stove and enjoy our proper sauna drinks with them,” Hannu says with a playful wink at Malla.
On weekends, little ones often come by to enjoy the sauna, too.
“In the adults’ sauna, we women share absolutely everything—sometimes we even have a good cry. The sauna has a healing power,” Malla says.
