Located in the Raseborg archipelago, Villa Torsö is a meaningful place for Leea af Heurlin-Aktan, with roots reaching back to her childhood. Built to replace an old family cabin, the log villa’s large windows open up views of the sea and the surrounding pine forest.
In the Raseborg archipelago, just a short ferry ride away, lies a rocky seaside plot where Leea af Heurlin-Aktan has spent summers since she was a little girl. The place remained in the family for decades until she purchased the plot and its buildings from her relatives in 2013.
Initially, Leea and her family lived in the family's old log cabin, but three years ago, a new villa suitable for year-round use was built on the site. The starting point for the design was the surrounding nature, with the goal of creating a building that blends subtly into the landscape. Architect Mathias Nyström was responsible for the design of the single-story log villa.
“We didn’t want to hide the sea view or the surrounding pine forest, but rather bring them in as part of the interior. We wanted large windows for the house, allowing you to see through the building from both sides. Light and air flow freely, and the large sliding doors open completely, making the interior feel almost like a terrace,” Leea says.
"Large windows define the character of the building. When you step through the villa's door, the first thing that catches your eye is the natural landscape opening up through them."
Traditional Log Construction and Modern Windows Complement Each Other
Black on the outside and white on the inside, Villa Torsö is built using traditional methods from hand-hewn timber, with flax used as insulation. Alongside the traditional construction method, modern, streamlined windows bring a fascinating contrast to the architecture.
It was important to Leea that the villa be built as ecologically as possible, which was a key reason why Klas1, which manufactures all its products in Kuusamo, was chosen as the window supplier. The windows also define the character of the building. When you step through the villa's door, the first thing that catches your eye is the natural landscape opening up through them.
”We did think a lot about how such large windows could be implemented in a log house. Logs settle over time, so the technical execution required precise planning. The settling has occurred as expected, but everything has worked excellently. Fortunately, we had very skilled professionals,” Leea says.
Inside the villa, beautiful dishes, fresh fruit, and flowers arranged in vases are bathed in natural light on the kitchen island. The interior design is Leea’s handiwork, and almost all the furniture, home textiles, and objects are from the selection of Cafelatte Lifestyle, the shop she founded 17 years ago. Leea acquired the old French factory lamps in the kitchen years before the construction project began.
”I try to maintain the harmony radiating from the building in all my interior design choices. If we need something new, I would rather wait until I find exactly the right solution than make hasty compromises,” she states.
Binoculars Always Within Reach
In three years, Villa Torsö has become a meaningful place for the whole family, where they recharge their batteries while enjoying peace and quiet. According to Leea, her heart rate starts to drop already on the way to the island, and once there, her phone and everyday rush are forgotten.
”It has surprised me how much we all enjoy it here. It feels like the house has settled into its surroundings so well in three years that it could have been here forever. That was actually exactly what we aimed for in the design. The villa is a place that remains, even as life around it changes,” she says.
When Leea spends time at the villa by herself, she might just sit and listen to nature, with binoculars always within reach. A few years ago, Leea saw a seal in the bay for the first time.
”It was wonderful to watch. In addition to the seascape, I watch the old aspens, deer, and birds. We also have a little bunny visiting us that is incredibly tame. Life on the island is simple, and that is exactly what makes it so relaxing,” she notes.
