Summer House V | Playa Architects | Hirvensalmi, Finland

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Modern wooden house in the forest with large windows and outdoor furniture, combining rustic atmosphere and modern design among nature

Modern comfort by Lake Suonte

Located on a small rocky island in southern Finland, Lake Suonte, Summer House V by Playa Architects reinterprets the Finnish summer hut through refined simplicity, craftsmanship and respect for nature. The design is created to harmonize with the terrain's topography and panoramic lake views, offering a sanctuary that connects traditional island life with contemporary wooden architecture.

The project continues the multi-generational family connection to the island, where previous structures—a summer hut from the 1960s and a sauna from the 1980s—serve as symbols of time and tradition.

Concept and Integration with the Landscape

Situated at the center of the island on the flattest and most picturesque plot, Summer House V encompasses the full panoramic landscape while providing protection from the elements. The site offers long uninterrupted views of the open lake but is also exposed to variable winds. To soften this condition, Playa Architects developed a groove roof with deep overhangs that provide shade and shelter, as well as covered terraces, expanding the space for outdoor living.

The architectural composition balances openness and shelter: external walls are strategically placed to frame key lake views and protect inhabitants from prevailing winds. The interplay of forms and voids allows the natural environment to permeate the house without compromising comfort.

Spatial Experience and Construction

The main interior space—combining kitchen and living area—is defined by the expressive groove roof structure, visible from inside. The elevated wooden geometry enhances the sense of space, directing views toward the lake and evening sun.

Construction uses unimpregnated CLT panels (cross-laminated timber) 200 mm thick, with the building structure mimicking the logic of traditional log cabins using modern CNC precision. This approach ensures elegant and minimalist detailing, making assembly efficient and transportable.

Floors and roofs are insulated with wood fiber insulation, supported by LVL (laminated veneer lumber) and glulam beams, ensuring strength and stability. All external and internal cladding is made from pine, mainly unfinished, to naturally age and blend harmoniously with surrounding stones and pines.

Honest Materials and Craftsmanship

Every element of Summer House V expresses humble honesty. Exposed pine surfaces reflect the changing northern light: golden tones in summer, silver in winter. Unfinished wood and simple assembly evoke a sense of durability and integrity aligned with Finnish architectural principles of minimal intervention and respect for place.

Allowing natural materials to age gracefully, Playa Architects ensure that the house becomes part of the landscape—architecture of resilience, not intrusion.

Summer House V demonstrates Playa Architects' mastery in contextual modernism—architecture responsive to its environment, heritage and human scale. Through clarity of construction, honesty of materials, and sensitive placement, the house strengthens the timeless dialogue between shelter and landscape.

This is more than just a summer hut; it's an extension of Finnish architectural tradition, combining cutting-edge technology with the poetry of simplicity.