Life in the Mountains: A Conversation with Exterior Assembly Team Leader Dzintars

High in the Scandinavian mountains, where winter storms, steep terrain, and breathtaking landscapes shape daily life, our cabins begin to take form. Behind every finished home stands a skilled team that assembles each structure with precision and care.

Dzintars, our exterior assembly team leader, has spent years building log and timber homes in some of Norway and Sweden’s most remote mountain locations. In this interview, he shares stories from the construction sites, the challenges of building in extreme conditions, and why working with wood is more than just a profession for him.

Over the years you’ve taken part in assembling many houses. Is there a project or location that has stayed in your memory? What made it special?

One of the projects that stayed with me the most was one of the very first houses I helped build. It is located in the Himmelfjäll mountain area.

The location and terrain made it a real challenge to construct. Working on steep mountain ground requires careful planning and precise coordination. But what truly made the project unforgettable was the view. The landscape that opens up through the windows of that house is simply stunning.

Precision in timber construction is extremely important. From the perspective of the assembly team, what makes a wooden house truly high quality and well built?

A quality house actually begins long before we arrive on site. It starts at the production facility in Latvia. The more precise the manufacturing process is, the better and more accurately we can assemble the house. When every log and component fits exactly as designed, the entire building process becomes smoother and results in a much higher-quality structure.

The roof construction is also very important. We build the roof structure on site and always aim to do it with maximum precision.

What have been the biggest challenges when assembling houses in the mountains?

The biggest challenge in mountain construction is accessibility. Sometimes it is simply not possible to bring materials exactly where they are needed.

I remember one project in Norway where, on the very first day we arrived, there was about half a meter of fresh snow covering the site. Before we could begin any work, we had to locate and clear the house foundations ourselves using shovels.

Moments like that remind you that mountain construction is never completely predictable.

During the assembly process, what moment gives you the greatest satisfaction?

The greatest satisfaction is always seeing the finished result.

When we arrive at a new site, there are only foundations and stacks of materials. Then, within roughly four weeks, a fully built structure stands there, finished from the outside. Seeing that transformation is incredibly rewarding. And when the client is happy with the work we’ve done, it gives us motivation for the next project and the next challenge.

Which weather conditions in the mountains affect the assembly work the most, and how does the team adapt?

The most difficult conditions are during winter, especially when temperatures drop very low or when heavy snowfall begins. There have been days when the temperature was around –30°C, but the work still has to continue. Fortunately, we are equipped with proper clothing and gear for these conditions.

Even the tools sometimes struggle in such extreme cold, which slows the work down. In those moments we create a small warm corner on the site with electric heaters where we can warm up before continuing.

What do people usually not realize about the work behind the scenes while a log cabin is being built in the mountains?

One thing many people probably don’t realize is that we spend long periods away from home. Not everyone finds that easy. The work itself is also physically demanding. Building in mountain conditions requires endurance, focus and teamwork.

But despite the challenges, there is a strong sense of pride in what we create together.

We’ve heard that in your free time you also enjoy working with wood at home. You even have a small woodworking corner where you build garden furniture, tables and chairs. Is working with wood more a profession for you - or a lifestyle?

Working with wood is definitely more of a lifestyle for me. I enjoy the entire process - seeing how a simple log can eventually become a finished piece of furniture or an object that I can use myself. Most of what I’ve learned comes through self-teaching or watching videos online. I’m always curious to try making something new. There’s something very satisfying about creating things with your own hands.

Craftsmanship That Lives in Every Cabin

Building cabins in the mountains requires more than just technical skill. It takes patience, teamwork and a deep respect for both the material and the environment. Every project begins as stacks of timber and ends as a place where families will gather, relax and create memories surrounded by nature. And for the team building these homes, that transformation is the most rewarding part of the journey.