Craftsmanship and sustainable choices – stories from RUNO

“When we began designing RUNO, I had a clear vision of the aesthetic I wanted to achieve. I hoped it would embody the soul of RUNO: warmth, authenticity, harmony, and tenderness.”
— Erkka Hirvonen

Within the walls of the Old Valtimontalo, a grand, century-old building that has stood in place for more than a hundred years - layers of history and life have accumulated. It has housed the town’s first cinema, a library, a barbershop, private homes in its upper floors, and most recently, the local tourist information office.

Restoring this richly lived-in yet long underutilized building into a hotel required a complete renovation. From the very beginning, a strong vision for RUNO guided every decision towards craftmanship & sustainability, in both construction and interior design.

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Spaces designed to endure time

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The first to bring the vision into form were interior designer Joanna Laajisto and architect Eve Sarapää. Together, they revealed the soul of RUNO by preserving its historical essence while shaping an atmosphere of timeless calm.

The interiors are defined by a gentle rusticity: raw textures & natural materials.

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“What I found most meaningful in the RUNO project was restoring a worn and underused building and giving it a completely new life. A key role was played by lead architect Eveliina Sarapää, who specializes in renovation architecture. The renovation was executed to an exceptionally high standard by today’s standards, with the guiding principle that the spaces must endure both physically and visually over time. This also applied to material and furniture choices, all of which are high-quality, suitable for public use, and repairable. For example, all loose furniture is made of solid wood, and most of it is manufactured either in Finland or elsewhere in the Nordic countries", Joanna Laajisto tells.‍

Craftsmanship and sustainable choices at the core

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Beyond preserving history, RUNO’s construction philosophy was deeply rooted in seeking local expertise and working with local makers. In an environment where every detail is carefully considered, craftsmanship and woodworking naturally take center stage.

“Our concept did not really allow for anything other than craftsmanship and durable materials. The four-senses method also guided us toward natural materials that can withstand time and use,” recalls hotel owner and founder Erkka Hirvonen.

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In restoration, particularly in paints and finishing methods, conscious decisions were made to honor the building’s past. Linen-based paints bring a soft atmosphere and a subtle natural scent into the space. The façade was finished with limewash, brushed into the surface to create a natural texture and warmth.

The half-panelling inside was carefully adapted to the interior language through on-site brush painting, echoing the same tactile expression found in the original bathroom doors.

“We refined and tested techniques to preserve the feeling of the old building even beneath new surfaces. Renovating the property was a constant search for a very specific tone and emotion. In many cases, only craftsmanship could reveal the soul of RUNO within the space,” Erkka reflects, still surprised by how a building that began its restoration more than six years ago evolved into something so beautiful , and above all, so functional.

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The atmosphere of RUNO: harmony of the senses

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Just as much as the visible materials, the unseen structural decisions, furniture, and smallest details shape what is now known as the atmosphere of RUNO, a harmony of the senses. A serene state where the mind quiets, even without being able to name the reason.

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“I often wonder whether it is even possible to bring my vision of RUNO to life. One thing is how a space looks, another is how it feels. And that feeling still surprises me. Another great surprise has been how little maintenance and repair the hotel has required over the years. From the beginning, investing in durability, craftsmanship, and sensory quality has proven to be the right choice.”


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The makers of RUNO

Interior Design: Joanna Laajisto – Studio Joanna Laajisto
Architecture: Eve Sarapää – Arkkitehdit Sarapää Oy
Construction Consultant: Jani Heikari – H & H Consulting Oy
Main Contractor: Antti Blomqvist – BCM-Rakenne Oy
Carpenter: Kim Haapatalo – Puusepänliike Haapatalo Oy

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