"In collaboration with the Lithuanian company Konga Cabins, Danish hospitality architect Mette Fredskild has designed the Konga cabin, a series of off-grid and modular tiny homes built with sustainability and a close relationship with nature in mind. The cabins are prefabricated in Lithuania and designed for easy assembly, allowing them to be installed on-site in as little as one day without a specific foundation. This makes them highly adaptable and suitable for remote getaways, resorts, or even as backyard houses. Drawing on Fredskild's experience designing hotels, the Konga cabins blend hotel-level comfort with an immersive outdoor experience. The design focuses on Scandinavian simplicity and minimalism, using a compact footprint to create a functional and inviting space. The interior layout, while minimalist, is thoughtfully designed to maximize space and includes essential amenities, a kitchen, and a sleeping area. The open-plan layout dissolves traditional room boundaries, enhancing the sense of spaciousness. The cabins feature a dark, charred wood exterior, which is both durable and visually striking. Treated with a weather-resistant oil, the charred panels offer longevity and help the structure blend harmoniously with its surroundings. Different-sized windows are strategically placed to offer unique views of the environment from various positions within the cabin, such as while standing, sitting, or lying in bed. The generous use of glazing allows natural light to flood the interiors and creates a strong visual connection to nature. Sustainable design is a core tenet of the Konga cabins. They can be built as fully off-grid houses, powered by a rooftop solar system and equipped with rainwater collection. The cabins also make a conscious effort to minimize environmental impact by incorporating upcycled timber and offcuts from Konga's kitchen production into the construction and interior furnishings. This sustainable and resourceful approach gives each cabin a unique identity. Project credits Architecture: Mette Fredskild Developer: Konga Cabins Founders: Goda Zemaite and Paulius Zemaitis Photography: Dovalde Butenaite"

The Kuku-Ranna Summer House, designed by Arhitektuuribüroo Eek & Mutso, is an award-winning residential project in the village of Vääna-Jõesuu, Estonia. Located approximately 35 km from Tallinn and 150 meters from the sea, the house features a minimalist A-frame structure with kinetic elements that open it to its natural surroundings during the summer months. Completed in 2020, the project was commissioned as a seasonal retreat, which influenced its unique "closed" and "open" personalities. The house is designed to blend seamlessly into the forest landscape, resembling a tepee or a traditional farmhouse, but with a modern twist. When not in use, it is a discreet, unnoticeable structure with its striking black exterior made of yakisugi—burnt wood—cladding. When the residents arrive, the house transforms dramatically: Kinetic shutters: Large shutters on the main facade rise like wings to reveal a large glass wall, while a rear shutter opens to a small workshop. The dark, protective exterior contrasts with the light, minimalist interior, which is visible once the house is open. The A-frame structure cleverly maximizes its 80 square meters of net area. The interior features a ground-floor living space that extends onto a terrace, a compact sauna and bedroom tucked into the lower eaves, and a master suite on the upper level. The light-colored interior features a blend of modern furniture and repurposed vintage items, such as an oval window salvaged from a Tallinn Art Nouveau villa. A double bass is also repurposed as a shelf. Gaps in the floorboards upstairs allow warm air to rise and light to filter through, contributing to the feeling of airiness. The house rests on a concrete slab and features a timber frame. Steel elements were used to ensure the rigidity of the moving shutters. Awards and recognition 2021 Estonian Architecture Awards (ERAMU prize): Winner for a private house. 2021 Estonian Association of Interior Architects: Nominee for the annual award. Credits Architects: Arhitektuuribüroo Eek & Mutso Lead Architect: Madis Eek Landscape Design: Margit Mutso Engineering: Toomas Tammerik Photography: Toomas Tuul Manufacturers: Balti Plaadikaubandus, Emotionwalls, Hansacom, Pinska, Prokliima, Raidkivi, Silman