Hello! I'm Jonathan Carle, founder and CEO of Vivaret.

Vivaret is a design-build atelier specializing in timber construction, where modern architecture meets masterful craftsmanship. My company began with a dream of bringing together two worlds: visionary Nordic design and the esteemed French Compagnons des Devoir tradition of craftsmanship. At the same time, I wanted to remove the common pitfalls that too often cause disappointment in building projects. We create buildings designed to stand for centuries.

Honoring Tradition, Building the Future

I am a master timber builder, trained in France by the legendary Compagnons des Devoir craftsmen’s guild. This rigorous, UNESCO-protected master training dates back to the 14th century. It taught me deep respect for materials and honest workmanship. Compagnons des Devoir is like a second family to me and a way of life. Born and raised in France, I spent my childhood summers at my mother's family farm. From an early age, I knew that one day I would build my life in Finland. Entrepreneurship was another major dream of mine, which I have pursued resolutely since my youth. From these foundations, Vivaret was born in 2018.

My passion is building timber homes that are simultaneously modern and bold, beautiful and durable, and most importantly, built for good living. Our buildings radiate timeless elegance, uncompromising quality, and harmony with the surrounding nature.

Everything Under One Roof

Vivaret is more than just a construction company. It is a group of professionals managing building projects from start to finish. I firmly believe the best results come when design, engineering, and construction work seamlessly together. This approach also ensures a clear budget and predictable timelines. As our client, you can rest easy knowing that all responsibilities lie with one reliable team.

Trust is earned not through promises, but through actions. When I promise that something will be done, it will be done. For me, honesty is a way of operating and is visible in every phase of our projects. Our goal is to be Finland’s most trusted builder - not because it sounds good, but because it is the only right way for us to live and work.

Nordic Values in Practice

At the heart of Vivaret are values that we live by every day:

• Honesty: We believe in openness and clarity. Contracts are transparent, and promises are always kept. This principle stems from both Finnish culture and the Compagnons guild’s ethos.

• Sustainable Craftsmanship: We build homes whose quality endures from one generation to the next. Each detail is carefully and precisely crafted. Our buildings are living spaces whose value remains stable or even grows over time.

• Ecological Responsibility: We build with timber because it is a beautiful, renewable, and environmentally friendly material with a low carbon footprint. We use premium Finnish certified wood, and every home we construct sequesters carbon. Each cubic meter of CLT timber binds nearly a ton of carbon dioxide, making the completed homes carbon-negative. Furthermore, timber buildings remain eco-friendly throughout their lifecycle, and best of all, living in a wooden home is healthy.

Our Services

Vivaret specializes in comprehensive timber architecture solutions. We offer various services, always executed with passion and quality:

• Custom CLT Timber Homes: We design and build turnkey, modern mass-timber homes. We construct beautiful homes using CLT (cross-laminated timber), timber frame structures, or a combination of both. The construction process is straightforward and efficient, with homes potentially completed within a year from the start of planning. The result is an ecological, safe, and beautiful home.

• Avantoa Saunas: Vivaret's sauna brand, Avantoa, transforms your home into a wellness sanctuary. Avantoa combines traditional Finnish sauna culture with contemporary design. The sauna pavilions are sculptural and environmentally sustainable. They can be installed on your property within as little as three months from order, with minimal environmental impact.

• Restoration Work: Our team has extensive experience restoring historic buildings. We appreciate the value of older structures and work respectfully with their unique characteristics. We combine traditional construction methods with modern engineering solutions. Once, I was contacted to inquire if I would be interested in joining the team reconstructing Notre-Dame Cathedral. The invitation was a great honor and a reminder that my love for craftsmanship and years of dedication truly bear fruit.
  
  

Jonathan in action with his team

Why CLT?

We use CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) because it perfectly aligns with our goals:

• Fast, High-Quality Construction: CLT elements are precision-manufactured in a factory, reducing errors and speeding up on-site construction. This significantly shortens construction time while maintaining excellent quality, as most work is done in controlled conditions. Practically, this means you can move into your new home sooner, confident that the quality is exceptional. The solid timber structure makes the house immediately sturdy and quiet - wood is an excellent sound insulator, creating a peaceful sanctuary.

• Healthy Living Environment: A mass-timber building breathes naturally, creating a pleasant indoor climate. CLT structures ensure superior indoor air quality without harmful chemicals and naturally regulate indoor humidity, providing a balanced climate year-round. Wood brings warmth and softness to spaces and reduces stress, contributing to a uniquely calm atmosphere. Additionally, wood is allergy-friendly, making it an excellent material to live and breathe in.

• Durable and Safe: CLT mass timber is exceptionally strong and long-lasting. Timber buildings age gracefully and effortlessly endure for generations - with proper maintenance, a wooden home improves over time, unlike many modern materials. CLT also excels in fire safety: thick mass timber chars slowly on the surface and maintains its structural integrity during a fire much longer than steel, which quickly loses strength in heat. For homeowners, this means a safer home without the need for chemical fire retardants.

• Ecological Impact: CLT binds carbon and significantly reduces the environmental impact of construction. You can rest easy knowing your home has been built according to sustainable principles.

Making Your Dreams Come True

To me, construction is much more than erecting a building. It's about fulfilling dreams and enhancing people’s quality of life. Every Vivaret project begins with our clients' needs and aspirations, we work closely with you until your home genuinely feels your own.

I warmly invite you to learn more about Vivaret. If you dream of a new home or a stylish sauna pavilion, please don't hesitate to get in touch - I’d be delighted to tell you more.

At your service,
Jonathan