Niliaitta is a prototype cabin designed by Studio Puisto Architects for the Kivijärvi Resort near Finland's Salamajärvi National Park. Completed in 2020, the cabin is part of a larger, ecologically sensitive tourism project that will eventually feature up to 50 unique dwelling units, as well as a sauna and conference center. The design is a modern interpretation of the traditional niliaitta, an elevated wooden hut historically used by the indigenous Sámi people to store food and other items away from bears and other wild animals. Niliaitta was conceived as a secluded, "bear-cache" for humans, providing a retreat from the chaos of modern life. The cabin is elevated on a single, slender concrete-filled steel column, which minimizes its footprint and allows the forest floor to remain undisturbed. The exterior is clad in black-toned pine, allowing the structure to blend with the surrounding trees, while the interior is lined with warm, light-toned wood. The 30-square-meter cabin features a minimalist and cozy interior, with all utility spaces—including a kitchenette, spacious shower, and building systems—cleverly contained within a central core. The central core design allows the living space to remain open and uncluttered, drawing attention to a full-height window that frames views of the surrounding nature. The interior also features wood surfaces and eco-wool insulation, with plastic avoided in the structure. A linear staircase provides access to the elevated cabin, creating a transition from the wild outdoors to a secure and tranquil retreat. Credits Architects: Studio Puisto Architects Structural Engineer: BD-Con Oy HVAC Designer: LVI-insinööritoimisto Jorma Niemonen Oy Photography: Marc Goodwin-Archmospheres Electrical Designer: Karawatski Oy