Panoramas of the Open Sea: A Project Ö Property
Tucked into the trees, with wraparound decking and several bright, windowed wood buildings, this natural outpost on a private island in Hiittis, fits up to ten. Project Ö’s most classic setting, the property is a series of scenic, glass-enclosed structures in the woods, with views of the open sea. Project Ö is helmed by Finnish designers Aleksi Hautamäki and Milla Selkimaki, and has been featured in Dezeen, Dwell, Designboom, and designmilk as well as in Condé Nast Traveler, Konfekt and Gestalten books.
The panoramic trio includes a three-bedroom main house, a two-bedroom guest house with an independent summer kitchen and dining area, and a sauna/dressing room house with a living room of its own that converts to a bedroom for two with a sofa bed.
Interiors are contemporary, with whitewashed woods, plush furnishings, a wood-burning fireplace, and facades lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering panoramic, painterly island views from every pane. Outdoor spaces are south-facing decks created for maximum sunlight, including an enclosed dining deck and multiple sea view decks that climb up and around the stark boulders that surround the structures. The hot tub/spa area faces the setting sun.
To see all Project Ö homes, click here.
Read about Tiny Atlas Quarterly's visit to Project Ö in our POV magazine here.
Around
This self-sustaining and vibrant island is a tapestry of contrasts. On one side, vast open sea stretches toward the horizon. On the other, a lush, green inner archipelago brims with life. Naked, rocky capes encircle the shoreline, and lush, verdant forest fills the island's middle. Empty until recent years, buildings on the island are all located on the western side. The modern buildings invite exploration while the home and east side of the island have no visible neighbors. The island’s character transforms with the shifting light of day and the ever-changing weather, offering spaces that balance solitude with opportunities for connection and community. Sea eagles, sheep and dozens of bird varieties can be viewed from the property's picture windows.
Activities range from water-based adventures—kayaking, boating, island hopping, and swimming—to slow-living pastimes like cooking, reading and stargazing. Breakfast/lunch basket delivery is possible as is a private chef, and a captained boat to drive you to larger nearby islands for dinner at local restaurants. Guided boat and fishing trips are available at an additional fee, and kayaks and a rowboat for guest use at an upcharge.
Location
Hiitis, Finland. Nearest airport: Helsinki, 2.5 hour drive to Kasnäs, private boat to Hiitis, 20-30 minutes
Best time to visit
April to October