Perched atop the Iso-Syöte fell in northern Finland, Hotel Iso-Syöte is more than a luxury destination – it's a living example of how high-tech wooden architecture can enhance both sustainability and comfort. Reimagined by Finnish architect Asko Lax, the hotel combines breathtaking design with cutting-edge building technology developed by Kontio, the world’s largest log home manufacturer. Headquartered in Pudasjärvi, the same small town where Lax grew up, Kontio played a central role in the revival of the hotel. Using their proprietary SmartLog™ technology, Kontio ensured the building’s log structures are not only aesthetically stunning but also engineered to perform in the world’s most demanding climates.

A childhood dream realized with modern innovation

When Asko Lax was just 13, he drew a sketch of a ski resort in Iso-Syöte that was later published in the local newspaper. More than four decades later, following a devastating fire in 2018, he was chosen to lead the redesign of Hotel Iso-Syöte, turning that childhood dream and vision into an architectural reality. 

What sets this project apart is the fusion of local heritage and modern engineering. The hotel's structure uses Kontio’s SmartLog, a revolutionary solution that combines traditional solid wood aesthetics with smart building performance. The result: a hotel that is warm, robust, energy-efficient, and deeply respectful of its surrounding environment. 

What Is Kontio SmartLog? 

Kontio SmartLog is a next generation building material developed by Kontio’s engineers in Pudasjärvi, Finland, where the company also operates its state-of-the-art production facility. Unlike conventional laminated or milled logs, SmartLog features: 

• Precision engineering for airtightness and thermal efficiency  
• Superior stability, even in the face of extreme Arctic weather  
• Natural humidity control, enhancing indoor air quality  
• Reduced settling, minimizing construction complexity

Thanks to SmartLog, buildings maintain the natural charm of solid wood while meeting the highest modern standards for energy efficiency, durability, and indoor comfort. It’s a perfect solution for cold climates like Lapland, where extreme temperatures and snow loads are major design challenges.

Building sustainably with local expertise 

The collaboration between Asko Lax and Kontio is not a coincidence – it’s a homecoming. Both share deep roots in Pudasjärvi, a city that has become a global hub for sustainable log construction. Kontio’s commitment to local forestry, responsible material sourcing, and advanced building technologies makes it a leader in eco-conscious wooden architecture.  

In the reconstruction of Hotel Iso-Syöte, Kontio supplied high-performance SmartLog components that ensure optimal insulation, wind resistance, and architectural flexibility. This enabled Lax to design large panoramic windows without compromising the building’s structural or thermal performance. 

Where design meets the landscape 

Asko Lax approached the design of Hotel Iso-Syöte by embracing the organic flow of the terrain. Avoiding rigid geometric forms, he allowed the topography to shape the structure. It’s an approach that’s made possible by the versatility of Kontio’s SmartLog system.

The hotel sits at Finland’s highest hotel location, offering stunning views of the Northern Lights and expansive Arctic wilderness. Thanks to Kontio’s log expertise, every suite will soon feature full-height windows, allowing guests to feel immersed in nature while staying warm and protected.

SmartLog in extreme conditions  

One of the primary challenges in Arctic construction is managing wind pressure, snow loads, and energy loss. With Kontio SmartLog, these issues are addressed at the material level. The system’s air-tight joinery and thick, insulating solid wood help reduce both heat loss in winter and overheating in summer, minimizing the hotel’s carbon footprint year-round. 

Moreover, SmartLog structures naturally regulate indoor humidity, a key factor in guest comfort and indoor air quality which is especially important in luxury hospitality.

A shared vision for sustainable Design  

Kontio and Asko Lax share a vision for timeless, eco-responsible design. Lax himself lives in a 252-year-old log house, a symbol of log construction’s durability. “With the right materials and techniques, a wooden building can last for centuries,” he says. “Durability is the true definition of sustainability.” 

For Kontio, that philosophy is embedded in every log produced at its Pudasjärvi factory, where traditional Finnish craftsmanship meets robotic precision. The wood is harvested from sustainably managed Nordic forests, and every log is traceable, ensuring full environmental transparency. 

 A hotel like no other 

Today, Hotel Iso-Syöte is not just a feat of architecture, but a case study in how technology, tradition, and landscape can converge. With its extension underway, the hotel is on its way to becoming one of the most iconic wooden hotels in the Arctic Circle.

For travelers, it offers a rare experience: the warmth of wood, the elegance of design, and the drama of untouched Nordic nature. For architects and developers, it’s a benchmark in log construction excellence, powered by Kontio’s SmartLog.