Housing exhibition showcases compact homes in Valkeakoski, Finland

In Valkeakoski, Pirkanmaa, a housing exhibition has opened featuring ten compact and affordable homes. Launched on Wednesday, the exhibition runs until early August. This event, last held in 2017, highlights smaller living spaces and aims to provide a more accessible experience for visitors.

Project manager Siiri Meriluoto emphasized that the focus of the exhibition is on practicality rather than grand designs, stating the idea is to showcase manageable housing options rather than palatial homes. Notably, Finland will not host any main housing fairs this year due to the withdrawal of the city of Kerava from the planned event.

The exhibition features homes ranging from 83 to 139 square meters, incorporating themes of sustainability and affordability. One house is uniquely furnished entirely with second-hand items, a trend promoted by interior designer Tytti Seppi, who advocates for the normalization of using pre-owned goods to create attractive and functional spaces.

Despite rainy weather, the opening drew considerable attendance, including Hanna Kinnari-Korpela, who sought inspiration for her relatively new home. She expressed a particular interest in the exhibition’s ecological aspects, believing that sustainability should permeate daily life.

A couple, Teppo Kuuppelomäki and Heli Pöyhänen, attended the exhibition to explore options for building their own home, but they are currently cautious due to high construction costs. They noted that the showcased homes reflect the idea that quality living accommodates various sizes and does not always require expansive layouts.