When Stockholm–based architecture practice Kod Arkitekter was asked to design a summer retreat on a Swedish island north of the capital, the brief came with the unusual request that the small cottage on site be preserved.

Naturally, the existing 700-square-foot structure became the starting point for the design of the new residence, which combines cues from the building’s simple gabled form built in the Scandinavian cottage vernacular with a simplicity inspired by Japanese design.

Expanded to 2,260 square feet, the Summer House in the Stockholm archipelago seamlessly integrates the existing cottage with a common roof and, through careful design restraint, emphasizes strong connections with its forested surroundings and exceptional sea views beyond.

“The building is made of wood, an obvious choice of material for a location this close to nature,” explain the architects. “[It’s] an interpretation where simplicity, wood, and the relationship with the surrounding nature are at the heart of the architecture.”

The house is organized in a T-shaped layout with the common areas located in the middle, while the private zones are placed at the far north and south ends. The open-plan living room, dining area, and kitchen are housed in the central protruding volume that has been elevated on steel posts to mitigate changes in slope.

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This effect gives the impression that the house is hovering over the ground note the architects, and “creates a beautiful relationship between the building and the landscape, with its features of heather and rocks.”

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Kod Arkitekter / @kod_arkitekter

Landscape Design Company: Kod Arkitekter

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An Inspiring Island Retreat Mixes Scandinavian Style With Japanese Simplicity