New owners aim to restore and preserve Finland’s iconic Pauanne complex, a historic hub of creativity and spirituality

Pauanne is a unique architectural complex located on a cliff amidst nature in Central Ostrobothnia, near the center of Kaustinen, Finland. The complex comprises a main building with a shingle roof, a workshop, a hostel, and a burnt-out sauna building. Initially, Pauanne was built as a gathering place for folk healers. However, over time, it became a hub of creativity and spirituality, hosting events such as weddings and meetings.

The complex was built by Tapani Hietalahti, who began its construction in the early 1980s using traditional methods. Due to financial troubles, Pauanne was put up for auction in 1992. For a long time, it was owned by Aulis Junes and was eventually left to deteriorate. After Junes’ death in 2023, the property was once again put up for sale.

The new owners, brothers Sami Mäkelä, a local entrepreneur, and Seppo Palomäki, a psychiatrist, purchased Pauanne from Junes’ estate for the price of the land alone. Palomäki expressed regret for not knowing about the auction sooner, as he would have bought the property then. He has long been interested in the building and has a habit of saving old buildings.

Palomäki, along with his spouse, has been restoring old water-damaged buildings as a hobby for some time. They live in an old dairy in Southern Ostrobothnia, Kuortane, and have saved an old meeting house in Ostrobothnia, Monäs from Uusikaarlepyy, as a summer place. They have also renovated his wife’s father’s deteriorated homestead.

The buildings at Pauanne are in poor condition, sold as ready for demolition, and all have water and mold damage. The new owners intend to preserve the buildings as much as possible. They will first survey the buildings and look for architectural drawings, or possibly commission new ones. After that, they will plan the renovation.

The new owners also want to preserve the site’s original spirit. Palomäki dreams of finishing the incomplete hostel. The basic idea is that in the future, people could still discover their own creativity at Pauanne, maintain their physical and mental health, and express their inner artist. No business plan has been made for the property as the primary challenge right now is to restore the deteriorated site.