The Karhu, or Bear is the national animal of Finland. I was challenged to look at the Bear as my spirit animal and draw inspiration from from it. After looking at its characteristics, history, significance, and presence within the Finnish culture today as well as in historical folklore, I developed a series a collages. The collages begin to embody a story and highlight the tales of the Great Finnish Karhu.

This later led to the development and design of a Hostel and Finnish Sauna lying among the trees of Töölö, Finland.