I lived in a secret tree house in Finland – this is what it felt like
Striving for a truly sustainable trip, my visit to Finland could be an extremely environmentally friendly experience.
Arriving in Helsinki in the late afternoon I drove a very stylish and modern Polestar 2 an electric car to a remote village where my accommodation – a secret tree house – was waiting for me. (So secret that I wasn’t even given the address, just the coordinates that were already connected to my vehicle).
After about an hour’s drive, I arrived at a tree house called Koja – the Swedish word for hut or cave – and climbed into what would have been home for the night. About 99 square feet in size and suspended about 19 feet in the air, the structure itself had floor-to-ceiling windows with a central frame, but still managed to feel cozy thanks to the carpet and comfy bed.
Here’s a peak inside Finland’s secret tree house
Koja is a celebration and part of Finnish design Polestar’s sustainable development initiative wants to help guests feel immersed in nature.
And since I was surrounded by greenery, had no Wi-Fi, and my only neighbors were the occasional deer and frog, it’s safe to say that goal was accomplished. After all, the whole thing came about thanks to a progressive design competition organized in 2021, aptly known as the Polestar Design Contest, where Koja’s designer, Kristian Talvitie, received an honorable mention.
“Most designers look at design from the user’s point of view. I also look at things from an environmental perspective. Talvitie said in the announcement. His design was chosen due to the consideration of the climate crisis and the aesthetic and durability values of Polestar’s design, the car company said Travel + free time.
The stay was almost reminiscent of the family camping trips I took when I was younger when I had to climb out of my cozy home to use the outhouse – mind you, bring a headlamp in case I’m ever called back.
However, one big difference between Koja and the average tent campsite is electricity, so luckily the treehouse can be lit up at night. The accommodations sleep two separate beds that are attached to the wall (with the same seat belts as in the Polestar car) when not in use. The last detail is a Nespresso machine, because as I quickly learned, Finns are serious about their coffee.
The area located on the outskirts of Fiskars village, about 88 kilometers (54 miles) from Helsinki, is also known for e.g. initiatives in the field of sustainable tourism including conservation and use recycled products to construction and its lively art life. The population of 600 year-round residents practically doubles in the summer, when artists flee the cities and head to the villages. However, Fiskars was a steel-producing town known for quality products such as world famous Fiskars scissors and knives.
The village was originally known as a manufacturing site, but has since developed into an area known for its artist culture – and that’s more evident than during the annual Art Biennale. The exhibition had three main exhibits, and Koja is part of it — in a way.
Each exhibit represented a different art form, one viewed interpretively for the five senses with interactive exhibits such as sound boxes and staring at felt circles on the wall. The second looked at “knots and knits” from the very simple (tying knots) to the very complex (wonderful woven rugs), and finally the third was about small houses in the Scandinavian style.
“I know Koja is nearby,” one exhibition volunteer told me in passing. “I live just outside the city, but I haven’t found it yet,” he added.
And that’s the point.
The shed was built this year to be part of the biannual art exhibition, but it is not for the public. At least not yet.
Although Koja is not yet available for rent to the general public, it is other accommodations in Fiskars, such as Hotel Tegel where I enjoy traditional Finnish breakfast After my stay at the hut.
To best experience both nature and the city, Visitors can rent a Polestar 2 from Hertz. (Polestar is a Swedish car jointly owned by Volvo) – which I quickly fell in love with.
While you’re there, enjoy a delicious coffee and embrace the free oat milk. If you dare, try the region’s favorite: salty (black) licorice. And if you’re curious where exactly Koja is… take the lesser known path, you’re probably closer than you think.
This story first appeared on www.travelandleisure.com
Main and feature image credit: Courtesy of Polestar
Related: Finnair will fly between Mumbai and Helsinki from July 2022