Set amidst pine trees in a forest near the sandy white beaches of the Southeastern Swedish province of Scania, "Summerhouse Sandby" is a minimalist wood-paneled summer retreat designed for a family of four by the Lund-based firm Johan Sundberg Arkitektur. The wood-paneled home exudes contemporary Scandinavian minimalism, yet it also encompasses the vernacular traditions of local farmhouse construction.

The exterior of the home—including the wooden deck and pergola—is clad in Siberian larch that has been treated with a silicon–based sealant to protect it from the salty sea breezes. The angled roof utilizes the same material, with the panels arranged in an overlapping pattern.

"The home is in dialogue with traditionally constructed rural houses. With its wood-clad façades and roof, its materiality is more closely related to the barns of the past than to the conventional Scanian farmhouses. In its design and detail, however, the house is unmistakably contemporary and modern," explains Sundberg.

The use of larch extends into the 1,797-square-foot interiors. The living areas are divided into two levels.

The master bedroom and bathroom are located on the ground floor—along with a generous dine-in kitchen and a living room—while the top floor contains two children’s rooms, a bathroom, and a common room, which could easily be converted into a third bedroom.

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Johan Sundberg

Associate Architect: Max Germundsson

Structural Engineer: SG Svensson AB, Sven-Göran Svensson

Building Contractor: Bygg AB, Morgan Ristmägi, Mikael Hermansson, Helge Johnssons

Interior woodwork: Malmö kök & inredning

Photography: Markus Linderoth

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This Swedish Retreat Fuses Scandinavian Vibes With Traditional Barn-Like Style