The Ronald McDonald House sauna renovation project
When a child becomes seriously ill, a family’s life can change in an instant. Alongside the child undergoing treatment, their loved ones also need a place to rest and recover. Harvia took part in a project to build a completely new sauna for the residents of the Ronald McDonald House, a space that offers a moment of calm in the midst of a demanding everyday life.
A home away from home
The Ronald McDonald Children’s Foundation supports families whose child is seriously ill by providing home-like accommodation close to the HUS New Children’s Hospital. On average, families stay at the Ronald McDonald House for around two weeks, but in some cases the stay can extend to more than a year. Many families also return to the house several times during the course of treatment.
The foundation’s most important mission is to raise funds to maintain the houses and enable families to stay close to their child during hospital care. As a non-profit and independent foundation, all funds raised are directed to supporting the families living in the houses.
After more than 24 years of use, the house was in need of a renovation of its sauna facilities. Harvia took part in the renovation project where a new sauna was delivered to the residents.
The sauna as part of everyday family life
The sauna is heated for several hours each day and is available seven days a week. Johanna Huhtariihi, Executive Director of the The Finnish Ronald McDonald House Charity Foundation, highlights the important role the sauna plays in families’ everyday lives. Especially during difficult life situations, the sauna serves as a significant source of wellbeing, offering a place to relax amid an otherwise demanding daily routine.
Durability, comfort and timeless aesthetics were key considerations in the material choices. Thermally modified aspen was selected for the benches and wall panels, as its tone complements the earthy atmosphere of the renovated spaces. Thermal modification reduces the wood’s moisture movement and warping, while its lower thermal conductivity improves seating comfort on the benches. A paraffin oil treatment further enhances durability and extends the benches service life.
The atmosphere of the sauna was completed by adding indirect lighting into the benches, along with more traditional lighting installed beneath the benches to make cleaning easier. In addition, the sauna door was replaced with a modern full-glass sauna door featuring a long vertical handle.
A durable sauna heater for daily use
When selecting the heater for the sauna, it was essential to consider the high level of use. The heater donated by Harvia is a durable and efficient Cilindro pillar heater designed for shared use and equipped with a remote control possibility. It meets the needs of the sauna perfectly.
Families have been extremely pleased with the new sauna and have particularly praised its atmosphere and ease of use, says Johanna Huhtariihi.
Partnerships that support the house
The new sauna was tested on site by Harvia’s CEO Matias Järnefelt, together with long-time McDonald’s entrepreneur and former Chair of the Ronald McDonald Children’s Foundation, Hannu Wiinikainen.
According to Wiinikainen, pro bono partnerships are of great importance to the foundation. Older buildings require continuous care, and renovations are carried out regularly. The sauna donated by Harvia is especially meaningful, as the sauna holds a special place in Finnish culture as a space for relaxation and stress relief. "This becomes even more significant at the Ronald McDonald House, where families face additional emotional strain while their child is ill and may spend long periods at the New Children’s Hospital", Wiinikainen says.
It is wonderful to be part of this project. The donation supports an important cause, and Harvia is happy to be involved in initiatives like this,” says Harvia’s CEO Matias Järnefelt.
