The main structure on the farm is a building with multiple functions, all under one roof, here there is room for both people and livestock. This proved to be a good solution during the long stormy winters

one could tend to the animals without having to go outside. This multi-functional building, which has been referred to as the "Varangerhus" by researchers since the 1970s, was often what Finnish descendents built in Varanger during the 19th century. This was a tradition that lasted until shortly after World War II. This type of building is not traditionally Finnish, but was developed in Norway. It could be the result of climatic conditions, derived from local building traditions and cultural imports, or perhaps from settlements in the northern region of Karelia (north-western part of Russia), an area which many immigrants were quite familiar with.