Barn, pigsty, hay shed—and finally a sauna lounge! Check out Jenni and Jani's atmospheric sauna renovation
Built in the 1940s, the utility building was renovated into a cozy yard sauna. Now Jenni and Jani work up a sweat in a space once occupied by the Jennylä farm’s livestock.
In this dimly lit Ostrobothnian sauna, water hisses on the custom-made stove, bathing the space in gentle warmth. The benches, crafted from thick planks of an old grain bin, are comfortable to sit on. You’d never guess that people are now sweating in a spot once home to the Jennylä farm’s livestock.
This over 200-year-old farm has been revitalized by its skillful owners. While Jenni and Jani Erkkilä were putting the finishing touches on the main house built in 1928, they also began restoring the old utility building. Once a barn, pigsty, and hay shed, it was destined for new life as a sauna area, a lounge, and a technical room for the geothermal heat pump and water heater.
“By restoring the building, we wanted to honor its builder. The farm’s owner made every brick for the barn here in this yard,” Jani explains.
“We often heat the sauna up to four times a week.”
The Erkkiläs did whatever they could themselves, but also turned to professionals when necessary. The renovation included new electric wiring and plumbing.
“In practice, we rebuilt the space beneath the original walls and roof,” Jani says.
During the renovation, the decayed intermediate floor was removed, and the old interior walls were demolished. The whole family worked on the floor: the children quickly tore out the thin concrete, and the adults dug out clay and soil for the new floor structure and heating system.
The renovation was completed through their own hard work, as far as possible.
A carpenter accelerated the renovation by building the new intermediate floor and support structures. Two interior walls were added to separate the sauna, washroom, and lounge.
Jani designed and built the unique sauna himself. The idea to use thick planks from the old grain bin arose when leftover material remained after completing the home’s interior stairs.
The major renovation was well worth it. The previously empty barn at Jennylä is now the family’s favorite place to gather and relax.
Here’s how much the sauna renovation cost:
- Groundwork 4 500 e
- Tiles 1 000 e
- Fixtures, faucets and shower 2 000 e
- Shower doors and toilet 1 000 e
- Sauna glass door 400 e
- Exterior doors and windows 2 500 e
- Electrical and lighting 1 000 e
Total 12 400 euros.
*The family’s own labor is not included in these costs.
