Self-sufficient cabins powered by solar panels and sauna system

The two cabins sleep 10 people between them and use filtered sea water and heat from the sauna to provide drainage, drinking and heating.

Spotted: Located on a five-acre island that forms part of Finland’s Archipelago National Park, the two cabins are completely self-sufficient. Electricity comes from roof-mounted solar panels. Hot water is a by-product of the running of the sauna, and filtered seawater provides sink, toilet and drainage water.

Named Project Ö, the cabins are long, narrow, wooden structures designed for maximum light and views, out to sea and inland. At only 70 square metres of space, the overall design of the cabins is spare and compact, referencing traditional Finnish island aesthetics.

A central feature of the living space is the wood-burning stove. Wrap-around decks provide a mix of indoor and outdoor living spaces. As well as providing hot running water, the sauna also provides underfloor heating. 

Designed by owners Milla Selkimaki and Aleksi Hautamaki as a summer home, the cabins sleep up to ten people between the two buildings. As Selkimaki is a graphic designer, and Hautamaki is the founder of brand and experience studio Bond Creative Agency, there is also a built-in workshop in the smaller building.