When we wrote about Villa Inox a year ago, architect Esko Miettinen introduced his unique steel-frame scheme in Tuusula, Finland, with open floor plans, prefabricated construction and stainless steel design elements. Key to the story was the fact that this house went from a vacant lot to an occupied home in just three months, owing to the high level of prefabrication. Today, thanks to a recent visit by Miettinen at the owners' request to discuss some alterations, we get some insight to the interior living space of this steel frame ready-made house after it has been a family home for several years.

The family purchased the house in the year 2000, based solely on drawings. The house had actually been designed to be built for an architecture exposition. During its construction, Miettinen talked with them often about the house's design philosophy.

Villa Inox in 2007, with new interior balcony (center), illustrating different light conditions of the interior, which can vary according to the need or mood.

"Villa Inox is very much about light, natural light but also the manner in which electric light illuminates the interior and exterior during night time," said Miettinen. "Finland has long light summer nights but also long dark winters." Consequently, the house has large windows, especially in the living area to allow for maximum natural light. The living space's exposure to the light is controlled by window blinds.

"The large glass windows brings not only the light in to the interior, but, as well, the surrounding townscape, the green grass of the yard, whiteness of the snow and the reflection of the sky in its different shades," Miettinen explained.

Light also delicately reflects on the brushed stainless steel construction visible in the home's interior, and it corresponds in a sensitive way to the changes of the outside illumination, casting shades of colour on the interior.

Miettinen introduced a high quality audio system to the house design, including sophisticated electrical systems to eliminate unsightly wires. After construction, an acoustics consultant proposed the installation of acoustic panels, standard procedure for acoustic design, to tune the house to best accommodate the audio system. The acoustic panels give the space a visual rhythm and provide proper sound control for either music or quiet conversation.

"The excellent acoustics eliminates the need for textile curtains to soften sounds," said Miettinen. "This further accommodates the natural light flow through the large windows."

The heating system combines floor heating with radiators under the triple-pane windows. The family reports a comfortable internal temperature on cold Finish nights. The house is naturally ventilated, but a small cooling unit was added to offset peak summer temperatures.

Since the house was built, a balcony was added in the two-storey high living room; it was already a concept in the original design. The client now plans a sunscreen in opal glass for the car port, which Miettinen will design.