Majamaja cottages – Helsinki

The goal of the Majamaja concept is to promote sustainable living and a responsible lifestyle. Majamaja strives to be a leading developer and concept creator of self-sufficient, environmentally friendly housing and accommodation solutions worldwide.

Read the article in Finnish here.

One cottage has a CLT frame and the remaining three are pole-framed. All four are constructed from prefabricated planar and volumetric elements to take full advantage of the lightness and durability of wood. Wood acts as a natural insulator, helping to keep the cottages warm in winter and cool in summer. Additional thermal insulation is provided by breathable cellulose wool, which supports ventilation and a natural moisture balance. An especially significant benefit for off-grid construction is that heating can be switched off entirely in the winter. The solution also reduces the need for ventilation systems and provides a pleasant indoor climate. Ventilation is gravity-based.

Wood dampens sound and creates a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere indoors. Interior surfaces have been left untreated or finished with oil-wax to highlight the natural texture of the wood. Over time, a beautiful patina will form on the wood, further connecting it to its natural surroundings. The simple design of the cabins lets the material take centre stage. No mouldings were needed indoors thanks to the CLT and the “Dold” brand three-layer solid wood panels. Together, they form an uncomplicated whole with the benefits of a single material.

Technical solutions

The cottages are fire class P3 and placed at least 4 metres apart. Walls facing neighbouring cottages are fire class EI30 and have no openings.

Interior surfaces are either CLT or Dold’s 12 mm three-layer panels of cross-laminated solid wood. Both provide good sound insulation and pleasant indoor acoustics.

Construction

The design of the Majamaja concept and its self-sufficient off-grid solution began in 2014. Designs for the Vuorilahdenniemi site began in 2019. The project progressed in stages, with the first cottage completed in 2020, the second in 2021, and the final two in 2023.

A French factory prefabricated the last two pole-framed cottages, and a three-person team, also from France, handled transportation and installation. Once on site, the two cottages were ready in 10 days.

Prefabrication took 4 months.

The more these kinds of cabins are prefabricated, the better. Technical installations of the sanitary modules should be completed and tested at the factory. If schedules are pressed too aggressively in this phase, problems will arise later. Finding a savvy structural engineer and a supplier willing to think out of the box presented a challenge, but the project was fortunate to find a suitable team in the end.

Facts:

Majamaja is not connected to the public sewage system or electricity networks, yet the cottages have all the modern conveniences: running water, heating, and a dry toilet.
The water comes from rainwater that is purified and recycled for use, and the electricity is produced by solar panels.
The cottages are for general rental use. According to Majamaja, over half of its guests are from abroad.
Pekka Littow’s design team for Majamaja included interior architect Päivi Meuronen and industrial designer Joska Heikkilä.
More than 4,000 designs from 82 countries competed for the Dezeen Award. Majamaja is its first Finnish winner.
The company’s vision is to expand its concept of small, environmentally friendly cottage villages to other parts of the Helsinki archipelago.

CREDITS

Originally from Oulu, architect Pekka Littow splits his time between France and Finland. His work combines minimalist architecture with an optimised use of space, often in environments that are aesthetically and functionally challenging. His design for fashion designer Anna Ruohonen’s flagship store, “La Petite Maison de Couture”, won the Best Shop in Paris award in 2014.

Littow’s Majamaja concept is based on holistic architecture, sustainable development, and a patented off-grid solution. Built in Helsinki, this first model village represents a new, self-sufficient type of housing that thrives outside of centralised networks. Majamaja Village won the prestigious Dezeen Award in 2024.

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