mer architects nods to finnish fishing huts with långholmen island home

Arrival from the Sea Across pine-covered Långholmen island

A newly completed house by Mer Architects sits on a rocky island known as Långholmen in a Finnish coastal archipelago. The site lies among granite and gneiss outcrops shaped by post-glacial uplift, with pine trees rising directly from shallow soil pockets along the shore.

Långholmen is defined by high, smooth rock faces and a dense ground layer of mosses and lichen. The timber building occupies a narrow zone between exposed stone and mature pines, positioned to follow the existing contours rather than clearing them.

Arrival takes place from the open sea into a sheltered cove, where a large timber jetty functions as the primary outdoor living surface. The jetty reads as an extension of the shoreline, wide enough for gathering yet low against the water.

From this point, an elevated timber path leads through reeds and a small stand of pines. The house appears gradually between tree trunks, with movement guided along a decked route that passes the rear facade before turning inward toward the center of the plan.

images © Marc Goodwin / Archmospheres

mer architects links two volumes with a Covered Outdoor Room

Mer Architects’ house on Långholmen island is composed of two compact volumes unified beneath a single folded roof. One volume contains the sauna suite with shower and changing space, while the other holds a combined living and sleeping room.

Between them, a covered outdoor room operates as the spatial hinge. Its position at the midpoint of the plan draws attention to the opening toward the sea, framed by roof planes and timber edges rather than glazing alone.

The wall facing the sauna volume is built in light brick, intersected diagonally by an open fireplace. The masonry introduces weight and thermal mass within an otherwise timber-dominant structure.

With this opening between volumes, the architects frame a specific slice of the surrounding terrain, with rock, water, and vegetation held within a defined aperture. The covered space supports daily use across changing weather conditions.

the house sits among granite outcrops and mature pine trees on Långholmen island

a durable facade of weathering larch

All exterior timber surfaces are clad by Mer Architects in untreated larch, a material commonly associated with local fishing huts surrounding Långholmen. Over time, the facades will weather toward a muted grey that aligns with the rock and tree bark nearby.

On the sea-facing elevation, sliding timber slat screens temper sunlight and protect birds from striking the glazing. These elements also provide privacy without enclosing the facade in a fixed layer.

The roof is finished in light grey metal sheeting selected for its reflective qualities during summer conditions. Its folded geometry ties the two volumes together while maintaining a low profile against the horizon.

Ventilation is handled through natural means, with operable shutters integrated near the beds. The building also incorporates a composting toilet, reducing reliance on infrastructure beyond the island.

arrival begins by boat at a timber jetty that functions as the main outdoor living surface

Interior walls and ceilings are clad in timber, producing a consistent surface that reflects light softly throughout the day. Selected floors are finished in oiled cement tiles, adding tactile variation underfoot.

The main living volume accommodates a bespoke bunk bed system with pull-out double beds, alongside a compact kitchen, dining area, and fireplace. Each element is sized precisely to the available footprint.

The rear facade conceals an outdoor kitchen, positioned so that dining takes place on a lowered terrace. This adjustment keeps interior sightlines directed toward the water rather than activity zones behind the house.

The sauna occupies a position close to the shoreline, oriented to receive evening sun that casts a warm tone across the interior surfaces. A short path connects directly to the sea for swimming, maintaining a close relationship between heat, water, and rock.

an elevated wooden path leads through reeds and forest before reaching the building