Beyond the south-west corner of Finland lies the Archipelago Sea, the archipelago with the greatest number of islands in the world – around 50,000. It’s also the home of the Archipelago National Park, where rocky islets and islands coated in pine forests are scattered on the water.
A few years ago, Finnish spatial designer Aleksi Hautamäki and his partner, graphic designer Milla Selkimäki, bought a five-acre island on the edge of the National Park that had grasped them when they realised it was in the shape of a claw. You might, on seeing a bird’s-eye image of the place, think it looks more like a trident. But you won’t dispute the fact the couple chose an ideal location for building their hideaway.
Named after the Swedish word for “island”, Project Ö is perched atop a platform of sloping rocks, set amid scenery that might have originated in the mind of Salvador Dalí. Matching the simplicity of its name, this complex, which consists of two self-sustainable cabins, is rustic yet comfortable, designed to be as compact as possible while featuring all the necessities of functional living.
Roof-mounted solar panels provide energy; hot water is a by-product of a wood-burning stove in the sauna, which also provides underfloor heating; and water sourced directly from the Baltic Sea is purified by reverse osmosis for drinking, cooking, bathing and flushing the toilets.
The property sleeps six guests and is split into the main cabin, which features a master bedroom and double bedroom, and the workshop, featuring two single beds. There are blackout curtains which can be drawn back in the morning to allow the space to flood with natural light, and several windows throughout the property provide breathtaking views of the archipelago. And in the master cabin loft, the double bed is positioned directly beneath two skylights, allowing guests to wind down while gazing at the night sky.
A sense of harmony suffuses the entire place, the cabins like microcosms of the island, which, though small, combines smooth rocks with steeper, craggy counterparts, a forest to explore and a sand beach sheltered from wind by a north-facing cove. The cabins, inspired by traditional Finnish architecture, boast gabled roofs, long eaves, extended gutters and vertical pine cladding. Inside, the décor features pine timber planks complemented by solid black fixtures, aesthetic choices that make the property feel like part of the furniture in this secluded setting.
The island feels truly remote – to reach it you have to drive from Helsinki Airport to Kasnäs, then cross the water by boat or helicopter. But that’s not to say guests will struggle to keep themselves occupied here. In such a place, it’s likely that visitors will find themselves inspired by the aesthetic of the cabins to try some handcrafting of their own, facilitated by the workshop which contains an extensive range of tools and raw materials. Outside the property, island hopping around the archipelago by boat can be organised, and both an engine rowing boat and kayak are berthed in front of the property, to be enjoyed by guests at their leisure.
On the culinary front, there is a fully-equipped kitchen in the main cabin, as well as an outdoor kitchen with a versatile Weltevree oven and campfire sites featuring smoking equipment and griddle pans. Brunch and lunch baskets can be delivered every day to the island. The property comes with a daily maid service and, on request, a chef, private security and even a fitness coach.
From €2,000 to €3,000 per night, with a minimum stay of three nights. For bookings and to find out more, see sjvillas.co.uk/accommodation/project-o/
Nicholas Ross is a traveller, writer and lover of literature
