A sense of belonging – Mikko Nissilä’s family home in a modern wooden house is an art of balance

A home is at its best when it blends authenticity, coziness, and practicality. The house architect Mikko Nissilä designed for his family in Espoo, southern Finland, demonstrates that beauty, quality, and moderation can coexist in perfect harmony.

ACCORDING TO Finnish architect Mikko Nissilä, a home is successful when it feels like a place you never want to leave, when the search for something better ends, and when it holds a meaningful part of your personal history.

For the past three years, the house Nissilä designed has provided exactly that, offering a welcoming atmosphere enjoyed by Mikko, his wife Kaisa-Maria, and their children, Silvia and Vincent.

Located right next to Helsinki in Espoo, this 102-square-meter single-family home is one of five nearly identical houses built simultaneously in a shared courtyard. This is the second project of its kind that Nissilä, who works at his own MINIMO architectural firm, has been involved in. He has designed many houses, and his approach is straightforward: visualize dreams within realistic constraints and manage the budget precisely.

Beauty, quality, moderation, and reason go hand in hand.

“I seek a balance for the project through the overall concept and details, hoping the building’s main visual idea becomes clear at first glance. I start with the efficiency or ‘juiciness’ of the plot, as I call it, aiming to find the best possible layout and massing for the site.”

The house built for his own family follows these principles. The wooden structure is clear and barn-like, with a recessed terrace extending from the almost entirely windowed end that opens to a more private yard. Ribbon windows in the bedrooms and window panels downstairs add rhythm to the otherwise minimalist design.

The square meters under the strong-gabled roof are divided into two levels: downstairs are the shared, open spaces, a double-height kitchen and living area, a sauna with washing facilities, and a cloakroom for outerwear. Upstairs are three compact bedrooms and a combined bath-laundry room. The space is used efficiently, allocated where it’s needed most.

“I try to make shared, frequently used spaces like kitchens and dining areas spacious, while sleeping areas can be smaller. The entrance is also crucial for both functionality and aesthetics.”

In Nissilä’s designs, practicality and beauty are inseparable. Materials, their shades and textures, and details are essential – they create the place’s finish, quality, and spirit. In his own home, the architect is willing to go the extra mile for beauty. For instance, the matte, rough floor tiles require occasional waxing. Every home is tailored to the residents’ wishes and daily habits, making it the best possible home for them.

In Nissilä’s designs, practicality and beauty are inseparable.

Nissilä approaches buildings both from the outside in terms of the overall shape and from the inside out. He carefully considers where to place the dining table or sofa, where the resident’s piano or exercise equipment will fit, and how to make laundry and clothing storage solutions functional. Interior design is part of the home’s planning from the start. For a balanced overall look, both large and small elements and indoor and outdoor spaces must harmonize.

Homes can be built to high standards on a reasonable budget by combining hardware store materials with custom-made parts. For example, the stairs and railings in this home were custom-made.

Nissilä’s style has evolved into one of simple clarity. Simplicity has power and, in Nissilä’s case, it also brings coziness and sensitivity.

“I compare my style to music production: A good and atmospherically clear basic sound is the most important element. Desired tones and depth are then added with accents.”

See also:

• Asun Homes Vol 6 bookazine >

Text: Ulla Koskinen Images: Sameli Rantanen

Featured products may not be available worldwide. This story was originally published in the Asun magazine’s issue 2/2024.