Swiss resident Vojtech Regi had a Hawo house built in Inari, Lapland, without making a single site visit during the construction period. The planning was handled with a few phone calls, the house was completed in three months, and the installation on the plot took half a day. After more than a year of use, the holiday home, named Lappistar, serves as the family’s private getaway and an occasional rental property, and all guest reviews are a full five stars. Vojtech recommends HAWO as a partner to anyone else dreaming of building in Lapland.
Vojtech Regi, who lives in Switzerland, had been visiting Lapland for several years with his friends. From his very first fishing trip, a feeling took root that brought him back time and time again. Lapland’s silence, nature, and unhurried pace offered a perfect counterbalance to the hectic work life of a Central European metropolis. His annual return to Lapland was a way to disconnect from work, unwind, and reconnect with nature.
Eventually, the idea of having his own place in Lapland began to feel increasingly appealing.
“I wanted to build a holiday home there where I could spend time with my family, enjoy the peace of nature, the fishing, and the silence. The clean air and the lack of cars. The holiday spot would be completely different from Spain or Italy, where it’s 40 degrees and crowded with tourists.”
A few years earlier, a couple he was friends with had moved from Switzerland to Lapland and purchased two Hawo houses for their tourism business. Vojtech began following HAWO’s work, which sparked the idea that his dream could also come true with HAWO’s help.
When he finally found his own plot in Inari and received a quote from HAWO, the decision was easy.
HAWO’s construction method was particularly appealing because the amount of work required on the plot was minimal. Compared to traditional building, the project didn’t require an extensive, long-lasting construction site or concrete foundations. The decision was made easier by the fact that the building is manufactured at HAWO’s factory and delivered fully finished to the plot.
“The construction process is very smooth. There was no need to do a lot of preparation on the plot or pour concrete foundations. The ease of building reinforced the idea of choosing HAWO. The cooperation was very nice, there was always very good communication.”
As the plans progressed, however, one aspect raised doubts for many. Could the entire construction project really be managed from Switzerland, thousands of kilometers away from Inari? For Vojtech, the answer was yes.
“No one believed that this project could be managed or that anything could be built in Finnish Lapland from Switzerland. But I wasn’t afraid to set out and make the dream a reality.”
The planning was handled with a few phone calls, and as the project progressed, trust grew. But Vojtech admits that building remotely also brought some nervousness about facing the unknown.
“Of course, I was also nervous about whether the earthworks were done correctly, if the plans would hold up, or if the house would even be the right color. But everything went smoothly.”
Ultimately, the entire project was completed in about three months.
“The house was ready in three months! For example, 10 or 20 years ago, you couldn’t have even imagined this being possible when you didn’t have your own workers who could get to the site to build and supervise.”
One of the most memorable moments of the project came on the day of delivery. Vojtech traveled from Switzerland to Inari to see the house arrive on site.
“I was nervous because it’s something that only happens once in a lifetime. And I didn’t really know what to expect.”
When the call came that the delivery was arriving, Vojtech drove to the plot. Then, about 200 meters before the site, he saw something that made the whole project feel concrete.
“I saw a big truck with the house on board. It was so amazing, I was so happy. Because you can’t really imagine a whole house on the back of a truck!”
The house was lifted into place with a large crane, and the installation took only half a day. After that, the utilities were connected. The installation experience was something completely unexpected.
“It was crazy. But everything went well.”
After more than a year of use, Vojtech remains just as satisfied with his decision. Above all, Lappistar has served as the family’s own sanctuary to escape everyday life and spend time surrounded by nature. There is no unnecessary entertainment electronics in the house. There is only the cabin, the lakeshore, and the surrounding Lapland.
“We don’t have a TV there, no PlayStation or iPads. Just a cabin in a gorgeous location by the lake.”
The children sleep in the loft and love cabin life. Vojtech’s wife’s attitude towards Lapland also changed completely. Initially, she was not enthusiastic about the project.
“My wife was against the project at first. She argued that she doesn’t like the cold and would rather go on holiday to a warm place with sandy beaches.”
Eventually, she agreed to the project – albeit reluctant about traveling to the cold North. Now, the situation is entirely different.
“Over this time, however, my wife has completely fallen in love with our house. Now she wants to go there more than I do! Not only in the summer, but also in the spring and autumn. She loves the house and has learned to appreciate Lapland’s nature.”
Lappistar has also caught the attention of locals. Vojtech mentions that people have stopped by to chat and remark on how beautifully the place has been executed. The architecture of the house and the overall property have sparked interest.
When the family isn’t there themselves, the care, cleaning, and seasonal preparations for the house are handled by a reliable local couple who also moved to Lapland from Switzerland. This is how the everyday operations of a remotely owned holiday home run smoothly without the owner needing to be constantly on-site.
Vojtech didn’t originally build Lappistar primarily as a rental property. On the contrary—the most important thing was to preserve the area’s tranquility and their own private use.
“If I rent it out, I don’t want to rent it out all the time, because I don’t want to fill the area with tourists. There’s already enough tourism in the area. It’s a bit scary, too, because mostly I just want to enjoy the peace.”
As a result, Lappistar has mostly been rented out to friends, friends of friends, and a few times to outside groups. The goal has simply been to cover the operating costs of the house. However, the interest has been greater than Vojtech anticipated. Even though the property hasn’t been actively advertised, Lappistar’s social media and its own website have reached people all over the world. There is clearly a demand for high-quality accommodation in Lapland. All the guests have given positive feedback, and the reviews received have been a flawless five stars.
Vojtech has already been asked for advice by other people living abroad who are planning to build their own holiday home in Lapland. His message is simple.
“Do it. You don’t need to worry, the job will get done.”
Vojtech considers it especially valuable that HAWO is also able to assist with plot preparation, meaning matters related to building permits and earthworks. For someone living abroad, this is a significant advantage: finding reliable local workers and coordinating the project from thousands of kilometers away could otherwise be highly challenging.
HAWO already had partners and references in place for organizing the earthworks and necessary permit processes.
“It’s important for HAWO, too, to have reliable partners who help. As someone living abroad, it would be difficult for me to start organizing someone to do the earthworks.”
The Regi family’s story is a great example of how modern construction can redefine where and how a building project is executed. A plot in Inari, a home in Switzerland, and a construction project managed from thousands of kilometers away. Yet, Lappistar was completed on schedule, quickly, and above all, in a way that the owner continues to be highly satisfied with.
When asked if he would do anything differently, Vojtech Regi’s answer is clear:
“I wouldn’t change a thing. I would make the same decision again. I can fully recommend HAWO, it was a great experience.”
And for those living abroad who are dreaming of their own place in Lapland, he has one final message about considering HAWO as their partner:
“Hey, go for it. I can only recommend it. You have nothing to lose. And then dreams come true.”
Find out more about Lappistar
And follow their social media @lappistar
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