Our first Sommarnöjen

Out of the challenge of building our own house on an archipelago island, the idea was born to help others realise their dream country retreats.

It all started when Tomas Riesenberg Tjajkovski found a sea plot in Stockholms skärgård. He looked past the worn sports cottage that stood on the plot and was captivated by the sea view to the west and the smooth rocks. It was a peaceful place where you let go of the big city's pace.

In the first years the family lived in the sports cottage which was certainly sweet, but not so practical for a family with several children. Tomas contacted the architectural firm Tham & Videgård to get help designing the family's new sommarnöje. When the drawings were finally finished the challenges began. First to find a construction company willing to take total responsibility, offer a fixed price and a schedule, and then when the build finally started constant delays occurred and the budget was exceeded. In the end Tomas said stop and got in touch with project manager Peter Erelöf.

Peter had long experience of working with tricky archipelago projects and could assist with both planning and personnel. Peter and Tomas made some construction changes to facilitate the build and there and then the idea that later became Sommarnöjen was born. "I got the idea from a desire for a simpler building process," says Tomas. "Partly that there should be a clear link between architecture and construction. And partly that timeframes and the initial budget are kept. I think that is the key to our success."

In 2008 the house was finally completed. Along one long side are the larger social spaces and along the other long side are smaller rooms such as bathrooms, children's rooms and guest rooms. A large veranda with a beautiful pergola roof provides sheltered outdoor areas in all directions and ties together the long, narrow house body. The interior is light with simple straight forms. A few light colours and natural materials.

From the house stairs lead down towards the water. Below them are the pier, an Attefallshus and a small sauna house of 7 square meters. Both houses were built in 2018 in Sommarnöjen's factory and were delivered finished and lifted into place from a boat.

Although there is always something to fix with houses, the aim of time spent on Husarö is to have to do as little as possible. Preferably just lie on sun-warmed rocks and listen to waves lapping against the pier.