5.10.2021

Nolla cabin – a movable, wooden accommodation

The article has been published in June 2021 in Wood magazine 1/2021.

Text: Elina Viitanen| Photographs: Teemu Lautamies

Read the article in Finnish: Nolla-mökki – siirrettävä puusta rakennettu lomakohde

The Nolla Cabin is a compact, fully mobile 10 m2 unit that can be assembled, disassembled and transported without heavy machinery. The cabin reflects a life based on self-sufficiency, renewable solutions and low emissions.

“A perspective I wanted to include in the design was portability. Why rip up the environment for construction and leave it in pieces to slowly recover when there is a solution that, in practice, can be transported by hand to the desired location and people can start enjoying their stay as if the building had always been there? ” asks designer Robin Falck.

The cabin structures are fastened together with screws that can be removed and put back together like puzzle pieces. The base can be adjusted, which means the cabin is suitable for different terrains.

“The old habit of repairing damaged goods is disappearing as we quickly buy replacement products instead of fixing what we have. This is not a sustainable way to live. I think our modern helplessness and inability to do things with our own hands is a little scary, so I wanted to make the cabin easily repairable to give it an endless number of lifecycles.”

YOU CAN EXPLORE Nolla on Isosaari Island – a former fortress island that is one of the outermost islands in the Helsinki region and a culturally and historically significant destination. The island offers unique sights and natural experiences. There are seven Nolla cabins and a public sauna on the island. Each Nolla has its own canoe and a shared kettle grill. A ferry service to the island from Helsinki Market Square runs daily between April 30th and September 30th. The ferry departs from the market square at noon, and the return trip from Isosaari embarks the next day at 11.00 am. The travel time is about 30 minutes. For more information about Isosaari, see www.visitisosaari.fi.

Another possible destination is Marimekko Nolla, which is a joint project by Marimekko, The Nolla Company, and Hotel Rantapuisto that aims to promote the visibility and significance of Finnish design in the world. Located in the magnificent seaside environment of the Vuosaari neighbourhood, Marimekko Nolla is decorated with patterns from the Marimekko 2020 autumn collection, which drew its inspiration from hiking, local tourism, and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. For more information, visit www.nollacabins.com/marimekko.

THE SOLAR PANELS on Nolla Cabins produce enough energy in a day to charge two mobile phones and a computer, depending on the weather conditions. People can also use the good network coverage on Isosaari to work remotely from the island. Nolla Cabins come equipped with stoves, heaters, cooking utensils, dishes, and silverware. They also have beds, quilts, and pillows for two adults. Visitors need to bring food, suitable equipment, and sheets or a sleeping bag with them. Upon reservation, you will receive a door code for your Nolla Cabin.