Nestled in a pine forest on a secluded lake an hour's drive from Helsinki, Villa Rauhanniemi is the minimalist vacation home of interior architect Joanna Laajisto and her family. Completed in 2020, the 90-square-meter cabin was thoughtfully designed to minimize its impact on the natural environment and to foster a deep connection with the surrounding wild forest and water. The structure of Villa Rauhanniemi, a wood and glass building, is elevated on a platform that both provides stability and serves as a wraparound balcony, allowing the family to live as much outdoors as possible. To construct the home with minimal disruption to the forest, large machinery was not permitted on-site, and materials had to be carried in by hand. The trees removed during construction were repurposed to create the outdoor benches. Large panoramic windows were incorporated to blur the line between interior and exterior, framing spectacular views of the lake and ensuring that each room feels spacious despite the home's compact size. Reflecting Laajisto's Scandinavian design philosophy of not cluttering the world with unnecessary things, the interior is crafted from a warm, natural material palette that includes Douglas fir, light pine, and oak. Wide oak floorboards provide a sense of refined rusticity, while grey marble countertops and a fireplace in the living area add warmth and sophistication. The kitchen was intentionally kept simple and stripped back to maintain the character of a cabin rather than a residential home. In a nod to a classic Finnish feature, the house includes a sauna, which, along with the bathroom, is adorned with deep red tiles in a herringbone pattern. Villa Rauhanniemi was also conceived with sustainability in mind. Laajisto and her family own the adjacent plot of land, which they maintain as a wild forest and a carbon sink to balance the home's footprint. Credits Designer: Joanna Laajisto, Studio Joanna Laajisto Photography: Mikko Ryhänen