Discovering Finnish Culture in Koria

Vol 28 Issue 06 17th October 2025

Last Friday morning, we visited two factories in Koria, not far from campus. It was a short visit, but it gave me a deeper look into Finnish life and culture through local design and production.

The first factory Korian Hirsi was making Fire Huts — those nice wooden shelters with a fireplace inside. I have seen them many times before near lakes at private summer cottages and in some public parks, where people could grill sausages there for free, or just sit by the fire. I even used one in Porvoo seaside park and another one during a hiking trip in Repovesi national park. So it felt a bit special to see where these huts actually come from.

When talking about the Fire Hut, it is not only a shelter (in Finnish, katos), but also something closer to kota — a cone-shaped wooden hut with deep roots in Sámi culture, designed for warmth, gathering, and relaxation in nature.

Inside the factory, the owner showed us around and shared his working space. He also displayed many of the parts and components they produce. What really caught my attention was that when assembling the main wooden structures, they hardly used any nails or metal parts. Instead, the pieces were joined together with a special technique, a bit like the traditional Chinese mortise-and-tenon structure.

It was amazing to see this similarity — how both Finnish and Chinese people have a long history of wisdom in building with wood. This connection made me feel that, even though we come from different cultures, our respect for nature and craftsmanship is something we truly share.

Korian Hirsi shows me that it’s not only about making something to sell — it’s about creating a important part of Finnish lifestyle. I realized that a Fire Hut is not just a product, but something that connects people with nature and each other.

For Finns, design seems to be more about usefulness and feeling good in daily life than only about beauty. The Fire Hut is a great example: simple, strong, and warm. It fits perfectly in Finnish nature, and it invites people to spend time together, even when the weather is cold.

This visit made me think again about how design reflects culture. Finnish products are practical, sustainable, and honest — just like the people. Seeing local production in Koria made me feel proud that such meaningful work happens so close to us.

As an international student, I feel that understanding Finnish life doesn’t always come from studying books or language — sometimes it’s from moments like this, when you suddenly connect daily things with deeper values.

Next time I see a Fire Hut by the lake, I will not only enjoy the fire, but also remember this visit, and how design and culture meet in such a natural way in Finland.

I hope that next time you come across one of a Fire Huts — or even a quiet kota without a fire — you’ll take a short break, relax your mind, and enjoy your own peaceful kota moment.