Skip to main content

Wave House Carries the Log Cabin into the 21st Century

PolarLifeHaus

When they imagined what life would be like in the future, Hannah-Barbera Productions gave us a family living in an apartment high in the clouds. The Jetsons zipped around in flying cars, owned a robot maid, and lounged in floating furniture (all of which is basically already here, except for the furniture part). But what happened when they needed a terrestrial break from it all? A lakeside log cabin would have been just the answer. And Wave House would have been just that log cabin.

Recommended Videos

Wave House is a collaboration between architect Seppo Mäntylä and wood-home builders Polar Life Haus (known as Honkatalot in its home country). Both hail from Finland, a place known for its simple style and nature-inspired designs. In creating Wave House, the team completely reimagined what the log cabin home could be, ushering it into the 21st century.

Wave | Polar Life Haus

The traditional wooden home blueprints were tossed out the window. From the form to the log beams themselves, everything about Wave House is new and innovative. In fact, Polar Life Haus developed its own system of interlocking beams that require no adhesives and used a patented, non-settling construction method to prevent gaps from developing over time like in traditional log homes.

Much of the charm of log cabins comes from the exposed wood and logs on the exterior as well as the interior of the building, and the same is true for Wave House. But in the case of Wave House, the logs were planed flat, losing the “log cabin look” of the rounded beams, while adding a contemporary feel to the home.

Inside, Wave House is bright, open, and airy – typical of any Finnish vacation home. Huge walls of windows let you look out to the natural surroundings, which include stunning lake views. Windows and doors were carefully placed throughout the home so as to frame the woods and water. The family room, which consists of an ultra-contemporary kitchen, a glass and steel dining table, and a spacious sitting area, makes the most of these views, with double-height glass walls on two sides. Contemporary seating in the living area looks out to Lake Saimaa. While the timber beams of the home act as natural insulation, there is a wood-burning fireplace for extra warmth on chilly nights.

The wall of glass from the family room continues into the master bedroom, which is tucked into the left corner. The bed is orientated to take full advantage of the lake views and also to receive some of the heat from the fireplace in the living area.

Off of the family room is a sweeping, partially covered deck. The roofline of the deck was meant to resemble an airplane wing, which was part of the inspiration for the overall design of the home. Cutouts in the roof allow for a play of light throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky. One section of the deck juts out towards the lake, creating an intimate seating area perfect for watching the sunset with a glass of whiskey at the end of the day.

Of course, all of that is already impressive, but what truly makes Wave House stand out is its unique, undulating roof line. The shape is what gave the home its name, mimicking the rolling waves of the ocean. It’s an obvious nod to nature, but it’s also what makes an otherwise simple home feel so fresh and futuristic. If this is what the log cabins of tomorrow look like, sign us up!

For another look at a modern Finnish cabin, check out Javri Lodge, a boutique hotel located in Saariselkä, Finland.

Kelsey Machado
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kelsey is a professional interior designer with over a decade of experience in the design field. With a passion for…
Predator: Badlands is giving Predator fans the movie they’ve always wanted
The movie is set to hit theaters in November, years after the debut of Prey.
Elle Fanning in Predator Badlands

After the success of Prey, there's some new energy in the Predator franchise. What's even better for Predator fans, though, is that the next installment seems designed to give them something they've always wanted. Namely, a movie that follows a predator's POV.

In the first trailer for Predator: Badlands, a predator named Dek is exiled from his clan, only to meet a humanoid-looking life-form played by Elle Fanning. The two of them team up to take on something that "can't be killed," and a long the way, we get some pretty incredible looks at the homeworld of the predators.

Read more
The next Hunger Games movie has found its lead actors
The movie will be set 24 years before the original Hunger Games.
Sunrise on the Reaping cover

Following the success of Sunrise on the Reaping, the latest book in the Hunger Games series, Deadline is reporting that the film adaptation that is set to release in 2026 has found its lead actors. Joseph Zada will play Haymitch in the film, while Whitney Peak will play Lenore Dove, Haymitch's romantic partner.

The film will be set 40 years after the events of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and 24 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place in the Hunger Games. The book follows Haymitch, the District 12 victor who mentors Katniss and Peeta, as he wins his own Games on their 50th anniversary.

Read more
The 9 best golf documentaries to watch this year
Here's a glimpse into the amazing history of golf, including how the sport has evolved
Tiger (HBO)

Depending on how you look at it, golf is either one of the simplest sports or one of the most complex. The objective is very easy to wrap your head around: This ball has got to wind up in a hole that's maybe a quarter mile away. Everything that happens after that, though, is where things get interesting. Of course, people who love golf love it for a wide array of reasons. Some people love the beautiful courses, while others love the stories behind their favorite players.
There are plenty of people who love golf but don't play it much themselves, and those are the people who this list is really for. Golf's full of amazing stories, and we've even gotten our fair share of great golf movies as a result. Sometimes, though, a documentary is an even better fit for a particular story set in the world of golf. As someone who doesn't play much golf but loves to watch it, these documentaries are right up my alley. They're the kinds of movies that can inspire and perplex you, and also remind you that at its best, golf is filled with legendary moments. These movies might not be on the shortlist for any awards, but that's only because sports documentaries are so recognized for how well they put stories together.
After careful consideration, we've brought you this list of the best golf documentaries you can stream now.

Full Swing (2023)

Read more