The Archipelago House designed by Norm Architects is located on the coastline of Sweden. This summer house is a modern holiday home that embraces all aspects of family life. The structure of the house is made of wood, which fits in perfectly with the surroundings and the design is inspired by the local building traditions found in the boathouses on the shore. The house consists of four volumes that are connected by a wooden deck.

The interior of the house has a concrete floor for a modern look and feel, yet has many built-in closets and modules in wood, which match the outside of the house and also makes it very warm and inviting. I love the way the cabinets in the kitchen come back into the living room and the way the kitchen volume opens up to make space for the stairway to one of the five levels in the house. The built-in form an impressive wall of storage possibilities that looks great but also keeps the house clutter-free. The dining area opens up towards the terrace and when the window is open it feels like the interior and exterior are one space. The connection to nature is physically there, but it also comes back in the harmonious use of materials and in the natural color scheme of the interior.

For the furniture and design pieces, Norm Architects teamed up with August Sangren, with their roots in the art of bookbinding, and Karimoku with a proud history of being the leading wooden furniture manufacturer in Japan. The house is a perfect showcase of the combination of Scandinavian coziness with elegant Japanese decor. Both design cultures focus on functionality and calmness, with the focus on life being led by nature and its surroundings. I think it must be lovely to spend the summer in this house.