SPOTLIGHT: Majamaja

— Cityscapes

SPOTLIGHT: Majamaja

Photos Valentin Pilate

3 min

Photos Valentin Pilate

3 min

Located only a 15-minute boat ride (or a 30-minute bus ride) from the heart of Helsinki you’ll find Majamaja, a unique off-grid retreat in the city’s archipelago. Its four cabins combine modern, minimalistic and eco-friendly design with an intimate and real connection to the sea, fresh air, and nature in general. A truly one-of-a-kind project, and a perfect example of Finnish ingenuity.

It’s one thing to create an escape in a beautiful, off-the-grid location, but it’s another to do so without any wiring, piping or any other manipulation of the landscape around it. But that’s exactly what Majamaja is about, minimizing its ecological footprint while still providing comfortable living spaces.

“The purpose was to show how small-scale architecture, combined with green technology, can compensate for big volumes and centralized grid systems. Majamaja units use solar power, and water is treated for reuse in a closed loop system”, says Majamaja architect Pekka Littow.

The inspiration for the Majamaja project came directly from the Finnish archipelago itself; its tradition of building on a human scale and its great respect for the harmony between human and nature. This approach can be felt equally in its interior design, conceived by interior architect Päivi Meuronen, which focuses on optimizing the use of space, and the furniture that was designed by industrial designer Joska Heikkilä together with the Majamaja team, using only locally sourced, certified wood and other high-quality natural building materials.

As crazy as it sounds, you’ll find everything you need within these designer cabins. A minimalist kitchen with stove, fridge and running water, modern amenities, bedding for 1-3 people, a wall-integrated dining table (or work desk), shower, eco-toilet and – of course – an outdoor patio overlooking the sea. As is custom in Finland, a wooden, heated sauna is only a short walk away and can be booked along with your stay.