Accommodation and workspaces Saari ResidenceFor residency applicants Saari Residence in Mynämäki, Finland Working at the Saari Residence Who can apply? What we offer Accommodation and workspaces Instructions for the online grant service Evaluation and decisions Frequently asked questions For Saari residents Accepting the residency and arriving at the Saari Residence Use of the residency grant and rescheduling Payment of residency grants Living and working at the Saari Residence Residency programmes Taxation and grant certificate Residency report The Saari Well Communication and social media Mentioning Kone Foundation and Saari Residence and the logos Saari Alumni Previous Residency Artists Community artist Ecologically sustainable residency The Culture Trail The Saari Invited Artist Residencies Reflected About Saari Residence History of Saari Manor Saari Residence co-operation The Advisory Board of the Saari Residence Saari Residence staff The Saari Residence stands in a historically significant area called Saari Manor, about 30 kilometers north of Turku in Southwest Finland. The earliest mention of Saari Manor dates back to 1295, but the current building stock dates from the late 17th and early 19th centuries. The main building of Saari Manor is situated in the middle of a lush park, and next to it are two courtyard buildings, the Kitchen wing and the Footman’s wing. The manor’s three hectares of parkland also include a sauna, sheds, a barn, outbuildings and a small outhouse dating from the early 19th century. The artists’ workspaces are located either in their apartments (literary work) or in the old stone barn of the manor. The Barn has one dance studio, four studios of different sizes – mainly for visual artists – and a workshop. The workspaces are allocated for one artist or work pair for the entire residency period and do not need to be shared. Due to renovation, the Barn’s working spaces are unavailable for the autumn of 2026. For more information on the facilities and accessibility of the Saari Residence, please see the information below. WORKSPACES The Barn at the Saari Manor contains a dance studio, four studios for visual artists and a workshop. A significant renovation will start in the summer of 2026, and the Barn’s workspaces are not available for the autumn of 2026. Work will take place in the workspaces within the apartments. The Residence does not have a darkroom a media room equipment for printing, pottery, graphics or textile work (apart from the sewing machine). The workspaces in the Barn are equipped with a table (additional tables may be set up on trestles). internet connection (Ethernet, optical fibre). The workspaces do not include tools or equipment. The Saari Residence does not have a Wi-Fi network. The residence has a few projectors and a screen, which residents can borrow for their work if necessary. You can find more information below under Equipment/devices. The Saari Residence decides on the use of the workspaces. Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa Studio 1, the large artist’s studio, located in the Barn, is bright and versatile. The space is divided into two parts, and one side is used for presentations and feedback sessions at pre-arranged times. The studio is equipped with a workbench. Trestle tables are available for assembly if needed. There are no standard tools/equipment in the workspace. The workspace has a wired internet connection. There are plenty of sockets in the space, including power sockets. As with all other parts of the barn, the artist’s studio is lit with natural daylight bulbs, providing a natural effect that does not cause eyestrain. The studio is south-facing, with deeply recessed windows (120 cm) providing soft lighting by preventing sunlight from shining directly into the space. The lighting is uniform and glare-free; external light can be reduced and controlled by curtains. The studio has a water outlet with a sink. The flooring is light green plastic-coated concrete. Area: ca. 50 m2 Height: 295 cm Door dimensions: 125 x 205 cm Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa Studio 2, the artist’s studio, located in the Barn, is bright and well suited to a diverse range of uses. The studio is equipped with a workbench. Trestle tables are available for assembly if needed. There are no standard tools/equipment in the workspace. The workspace has a wired internet connection. There are plenty of sockets in the space, including power sockets. As with all other parts of the Barn, the artist’s studio is lit with natural daylight bulbs, providing a natural effect that does not cause eyestrain. The studio is south-facing, with deeply recessed windows (120 cm) providing soft lighting by preventing sunlight from shining directly into the space. The lighting is uniform and glare-free; external light can be reduced and controlled by curtains. The studio has a water outlet with a sink.The flooring is light green plastic-coated concrete. Area: 30 m2 Height: 295 cm Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa Studio 3, the artist’s studio located in the barn, is bright and well suited to a diverse range of uses. The studio is equipped with a workbench. Trestle tables are available for assembly if needed. There are no standard tools/equipment in the workspace. There are plenty of sockets in the space, including power sockets. The workspace has a wired internet connection. As with all other parts of the barn, the artist’s studio is lit with natural daylight bulbs, providing a natural effect that does not cause eyestrain. The studio is south-facing, with deeply recessed windows (120 cm) providing soft lighting by preventing sunlight from shining directly into the space. The lighting is uniform and glare-free; external light can be reduced and controlled by curtains. The flooring is light green plastic-coated concrete. Area: 16,5 m2 Height: 295 cm Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa Studio 4, the artist’s studio, located in the Barn, is well suited to a diverse range of uses. The studio is equipped with a workbench. Trestle tables are available for assembly if needed. There are no standard tools/equipment in the workspace. There are sockets in the space, including power sockets. The workspace has a wired internet connection. As with all other parts of the barn, the artist’s studio is lit with natural daylight bulbs, providing a natural effect that does not cause eyestrain. The studio has no windows and is suitable for work where darkness is needed. The studio has a water outlet with a sink. The flooring is concrete. Area: 34 m2 Height: 295 cm Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa The dance studio, located in the barn, was designed in cooperation with experts in the field. The room has two large wall mirrors, which can be curtained over if required. The dance studio has a sound system: The audio system is equipped with a Presonus AM8 -mixer, Tascam CD-200i CD/MP3 player and can be connected to a computer. It can also be connected to 1 or 2 microphones. The audio system uses Electro Voice’s four top/midtone speakers, as well as two subwoofers. The dance studio is lit with natural daylight bulbs, providing a natural effect that does not cause eyestrain. The workspace has a wired internet connection. Dance floor area: 11 x 11 m Height: 280 cm The flexible floor provides a safe surface for dancing. The space is not suitable for projects requiring a lot of height, but it has a few hanging points. Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa The workshop, located in the barn, is a well-equipped workspace with all the basic tools and equipment required for working with wood and other materials. Due to safety reasons, the workshop is only available to artists with professional training in the machines provided. The equipment in the shop includes: Basic hand tools Planing bench Mitre saw Electric chainsaw Jigsaw Cordless screwdrivers and hammer drill Handheld circular saw Heat gun Water supply Room size: 45 m2 Room height: 310 cm The Reidence also has machining tools, such as a large angle grinder, welding equipment, and a blacksmith’s forge, and the use must be agreed upon separately. Outbuildings During warmer months, the unheated outbuildings are available. The Jacob’s barn (Jaakobinlato) is suitable, for example, for use by performative arts, and other outbuildings may be used as shared workspaces. The Residence staff will provide guests with a tour of the facilities at the start of their residency periods. Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa Jacob’s barn is available only in warmer seasons. Floor area: 20 x 9 meters. Height: 8 meters. In the middle of the barn is a balcony 4.5 meters off the ground. There are four buttresses under the balcony (height approx. 3.5 meters). The floor is raw wood planks. Wired internet connection. Door dimensions: 3.7 x 3 meters. Equipment/devices As a general rule, residents should bring their personal computers and other devices needed for their work, such as cameras. Residents may also use the shared iMac and printer-scanner unit in the Barn. Equipment available for loan at the Residence include: a couple of video projectors and screens camera tripod (SLIK PRO 400DX) with pan-tilt and video head illuminated Artograph LightPad 950 work surface (432 x 610 mm) easel Speakes (Genelec) digital piano Roland FP-90X-BK. ACCOMMODATION The accommodations in the Residence are located in the Kitchen Wing, the Footman’s Wing, and the Farmhand’s Cottage, all in close proximity to the Main building. There are nine apartments for residents. Larger apartments are intended for literary artists, researchers and artists with families. The apartments in the Farmhand’s Cottage have a shared kitchen, and other apartments have a private kitchen or kitchenette with basic amenities. Each apartment has an en suite shower and toilet. The residency stay includes a monthly grant, an apartment and a private workspace, while groups (working before 2026) may need to share the apartments. The Residence provides bed linen, sheets, towels and toilet paper. The apartments are mainly heated by geothermal heating. Electricity and internet access are included. The Saari Residence reserves the right to allocate the apartments as they see fit. Kitchen wing Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa Apartment 2 The three-room apartment in the kitchen wing (79 m2) is also suitable for families. The apartment is accessible. workroom, that can be converted into an assistant’s bedroom if necessary spacious bedroom living room fully equipped kitchen, including dishwasher washing machine accessible shower and WC The porch has a lift embedded in the structure, allowing access to the porch and the front door with an assistive device. In the hallway there is a bench for ease of dressing. no thresholds wired internet connection (optical fibre) Accessible storage facilities. Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa Apartment 3A The bright single-room apartment in the kitchen wing (28 m2) is intended for artists staying with a dog. kitchenette with dishwasher, microwave, but no regular oven wired internet connection (optical fibre) Shower/WC Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa Apartment 3B The small two-room apartment in the kitchen wing (21 m2) is cozy apartment for one person. kitchenette with dishwasher, microwave, but no regular oven wired internet connection (optical fibre) small separate bedroom Shower/WC Footman wing Apartment 4 This two-room flat (59 m2) in the footman wing is also suitable for families. Fully equipped kitchen, including dishwasher large living room and workspace bedroom washing machine shower/WC wired internet connection (optical fibre) Photo: Otto-Ville Väätäinen Apartment 5 The spacious two-room apartment in the footman wing (55 m2) is also suitable for families. Fully equipped kitchen, including dishwasher large living room with workspace digital piano (Yamaha CVP 505 Clavinova) bedroom shower/WC wired internet connection (optical fibre). Farmhand’s cottage Photo: Otto-Ville Väätäinen Shared kitchen in the farmhand’s cottage The breakfast kitchen in the Farmhand’s cottage is suitable for cooking smaller meals, and the Barn kitchen is also available. In addition to kitchenware, it is equipped with a stove, dishwasher and refrigerator. Photo: Otto-Ville Väätäinen Farmhand’s Cottage Apartment 1 The larger two-room west-facing apartment in the farmhand’s cottage (32 m2). shared kitchen, equipped with e.g. a dishwasher workroom with sofa bed bedroom shower/WC wired internet connection (optical fibre). Photo: Otto-Ville Väätäinen Farmhand’s Cottage Apartment 2 The larger two-room east-facing apartment in the farmhand’s cottage (35 m2). shared kitchen, equipped with e.g. a dishwasher workroom with sofa bed bedroom shower/WC wired internet connection (optical fibre). Photo: Otto-Ville Väätäinen Farmhand’s Cottage Apartment 3 The smaller two-room west-facing apartment in the farmhand’s cottage (22 m2) shared kitchen, equipped with e.g. a dishwasher workroom bedroom shower/WC wired internet connection (optical fibre). Photo: Otto-Ville Väätäinen Farmhand’s Cottage Apartment 4 The smaller two-room east-facing apartment in the farmhand’s cottage (25 m2). shared kitchen, equipped with e.g. a dishwasher workroom bedroom shower/WC wired internet connection (optical fibre). SHARED FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS We encourage interaction among our residency guests. For this reason, we offer various types of shared facilities. There are also plenty of outbuildings and other cold spaces around the manor that artists are welcome to use, but these will be agreed on a case-by-case basis. The lush park is open to guests from spring to autumn. Photo: Otto-Ville VäätäinenThe Barn’s facilities will not be available during the renovation starting in the summer of 2026. The communal kitchen is a great place to cook and eat with a large group. The shared kitchen in the Barn is intended for all residents. The cosy kitchen is equipped with tableware, stove, oven, coffee maker, electric kettle, dishwasher and a refrigerator. The kitchen is cleaned weekly by the cleaners. The residents are expected to take care of the daily tidiness of the kitchen, for example, recycling waste according to recycling guidelines and filling the dishwasher after meals. The computer facility in the manor barn is intended for all residency guests. iMac printer-scanner wired internet connection (optical fibre). Barbecue gazebo Designed by Jan-Erik Andersson, the barbecue gazebo – a.k.a. the Barbecue Lover’s Carousel Pavilion – near the Barn is intended for residency guests and serves as a place for meetings or for reading alone and enjoying the view while also serving as a sculpture-like landmark. Its shape was inspired by Andersson’s childhood memories of carousels, hexagonal dance pavilions and countryside milk platforms. In Andersson’s structure, coloured steel beams meet the materials and hues of nature. The roof is made of reeds, and the base was cast in holes dug in the ground. The floor has an ornamental pattern called Dance of the Soy Sausages. Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa The wood-fired sauna by the pond in the park at Saari Manor is intended for residents. The sauna can be used together or alone. Photo: Otto-Ville Väätäinen Living room and library in the main building The upstairs living room in the main building has a set of sofas, a meeting space and a small library. There is a projector and a screen. The living room is open to guests from September to April and by appointment only during the summer. The upstairs is sometimes used by Kone Foundation grantees for short periods of time. Then the space is not used by the residents. This will always be announced in advance. THE MAIN BUILDING AND SURROUNDINGS Saari Manor is located in the middle of a level, open field on the eastern shore of Mynälahti bay; the Mynäjoki river flows on its south-eastern side. To the south and west, the manor is surrounded by fields, and to the north the area borders a forest. To the east is Saarentie road, on the other side of which are the manor’s old stone barn, machine shed and a building for drying grain. To the south of Saarenrantatie road is a large cart shed. The Saari Manor milieu is an important element of Finland’s cultural history and one of the few remaining royal estates in Finland, known as kongsgårds, from when Finland was under Swedish rule. In addition to its designation as a royal estate, for a long time the manor functioned as a residence for officers. From 1959 onwards, Saari Manor housed the Agricultural Research Centre’s test station for South-west Finland. Kone Foundation bought the Saari Manor buildings and park area in 2006 and bits of the surrounding fields and forest in 2009. The Saari Residence started its operations in 2008. The Saari Residence’s office premises for its staff are located in the main building. The residence’s apartments are located in the courtyard buildings close to the main building, known as the Kitchen and Footman’s Wings, and in the Farmhand’s Cottage near the Barn. The Residence’s workspaces can be found in the stone barn built by Aleksander Aminoff in 1858, which originally accommodated 100 cows. In 2026, a major renovation will begin in the stone barn. Main building The late-Gustavian main building of Saari Manor dates back to 1779, but its cellars are thought to date back to the 1560s. Designed by Christian Friedrich Schröder, the building is a typical example of the building traditions of the Gustavian period and, upon completion, exhibited the architecture and fixtures of its era. The main building with its hipped mansard roof has retained its Gustavian appearance on the outside, but the interior rococo fixtures – including doors, wainscoting and mouldings – were entirely removed during a renovation in the 1960s. Despite these changes, the main building is an architectural monument. The main building – and the whole manor area – is protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency. This protection specifically concerns the manor’s external architecture, Schröder’s interior layout (which is still intact), cellars and the landscape. When Kone Foundation acquired the mansion, the buildings were generally in excellent condition, but over the decades they had been repaired without any consideration for their cultural heritage value. Kone Foundation decided to renovate the main building and restore it to its former glory. This extensive renovation was completed in 2008, and the Residence’s activities were set in motion the same year. The main building contains a shared living room and a small library. The hall in the main building is where residents assemble for lunch almost every Tuesday. Kitchen Wing The eastern courtyard building known as the Kitchen Wing was built at the same time as the main building. It is a log house with a purlin roof and an overhang corner and originally housed a baking room, kitchen and five habitable rooms. During a renovation by the previous owner in the 1960s, all its original mouldings and doors were removed. The building is protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency and must retain its 18th century appearance on the outside. Today, it houses three apartments for Residence guests, one of which is accessible, and another dog-friendly. Footman Wing The western courtyard building known as the Footman Wing is identical to the Kitchen Wing on the outside. The Finnish Heritage Agency has ordered that the outward appearance and structures of the building be protected. The Footman Wing has two large apartments for residence guests. Farmhand’s cottage In the area between Saarentie road and the park is the manor’s old farmhand’s cottage where Metsähallitus (Forest Administration) once maintained a small nature centre and exhibitions about the nature and wetlands of Mietoistenlahti. The building has four apartments and a shared kitchen for them. Outhouse The small 19th century outhouse built from wood planks is slightly farther away from the central group of buildings. Its architraves, window frames, doors and door panels dating back to the early 19th century have been perfectly retained. The entire building is protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency and is out of use. The Saari Manor milieu Saari Manor is located close to the shore of Mietoistenlahti bay. Saari means “island” in Finnish and, true to its name, this was an island, surrounded by the sea, until the early 11th century. As a consequence of land uplift, however, it gradually merged into the mainland. The fields you see here today were once the seabed. Mietoistenlahti, into which River Laajoki empties, is the most remote corner of Mynälahti bay, stretching far inland. On the eastern side, you will find a small inlet formed by the Mynäjoki river delta. As part of the Natura 2000 network, Mietoistenlahti is also a Special Protection Area for birds, as well as a nationally important nature reserve. Saari Manor is a built cultural environment of national importance and is also protected in accordance with the Antiquities Act due to its historical importance and cultural heritage. Situated close to Saari Manor, Mietoistenlahti bay is one of the most valued waterways for birdwatching and an important resting place for migrating birds. Between late April and early May, there may be thousands of waterfowl resting in the bay at one time. There are three birdwatching towers in the area, two of which are located in Vasikkahaka. The trail to the birdwatching towers begins at the nature centre’s car park. A third lower tower is located in Kuusto, and you can find it by following the signs from Saarentie road. There is also a rock suitable for birdwatching at Sillankari. A barrier-free birdwatching platform can be found close to Sillankari. The nature trail runs from the car park by the Saarentie birdwatching towers and through the forest, all the way to the Vasikkahaka birdwatching towers. Along the trail are noticeboards with information about the area’s nature. The Saari Residence is committed to taking care of the valuable cultural landscape surrounding the manor in accordance with the Finnish Heritage Agency’s instructions. In the summer, Saari Manor area is also tended by sheep, while cows look after the meadows by the shore and the Natura area. Also, in the vicinity of the Saari Manor is an old, protected grove of oak trees. READ MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF SAARI MANOR CULTURE TRAIL The Culture Trail runs from Saarenrantatie to the Vasikkahaka bird observation tower and was designed and is maintained collaboratively within the project Mietoistenlahti – Experiences in Nature for Everyone by the Saari Residence and the Nature Conservation Association of the Mynämäki Region. The Culture Trail displays works by contemporary artists from different fields of art who have worked at Saari Residence. Read more about the Culture Trail. Photo: Jussi Virkkumaa The Culture Trail’s address is Saarenrantatie 21, 23140 Hietamäki. From the crossroads leading to the manor, walk on for about 50 metres, and the Culture Trail is on the right side of the road. Alternatively, the Trail is accessible from the parking lot of the birdwatching towers at Saarentie 230, 23140 Hietamäki. Parking spaces are available in the parking area leading to the bird observation tower, located along Saarentie, and next to the Sillankari bird observation tower along Saarenrantatie. This 500 metres long recreational route is open for everyone. Visitors on the Culture Trail are kindly requested to avoid moving around in the manor area to ensure peace and quiet for everyone working and residing in the Residence. ACCESSIBILITY AND SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENT Accessibility One of our apartments is barrier-free and has a kitchen, a barrier-free toilet and three rooms. For more information see “Apartments” on this page. The main building of the Saari Residence is equipped with a lift. Accessibility by wheelchair has also been improved by removing the thresholds in the building. The protected old buildings and rural landscape of the Saari manor, the remote location of the residence and the scarcity of public transport all pose challenges for accessibility. Since the buildings are protected by the Finnish Heritage Agency, they cannot be renovated to make them fully accessible. With every renovation the new solutions must be adapted to the protected building or space. In spring 2023, we started working with Riesa Consultative to assess how we can make the residence more accessible and usable. Accessibility experts are consulted with all future renovations. Our residency programme is based on encounters and the fact that the artists stay and live on-site for two months for the individual residencies. At the Saari Residence, joint events, encounters and discussions are held in English. Shorter group residencies in the summer may be better suited, for example, for groups of artists who need time and space to focus on their work together without organised programme by the Residence. Please note that there are no group residencies in the summer in 2026. Improving accessibility is an ongoing process, and we make updates and changes regularly based on feedback. We welcome any suggestions on accessibility. If you are interested in applying for residency at the Saari Residence, please CONTACT US to discuss whether we will be able to accommodate your accessibility requirements during your stay. Equality and a safer space We are committed to working for equality. We follow and expect all our residents to adhere to the principles of a safer space. The Saari Residence welcomes people of all genders, abilities, ages, cultures, and sexualities. We do not tolerate for any form of discrimination, such as racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic or ableist comments, sexual harassment, or bullying. Everyone can decide by what name and pronoun they are called. We do not tolerate violence, vandalism or any other harmful acts. We want to create and provide the best possible working environment for everyone. The Harassment contact person at Saari is Iiris Lahti (iiris.lahti@koneensaatio.fi). Read more about our principles for a safer space.