About Us
We are a Finnish couple who share a deep love for the archipelago.
Aleksi, a spatial designer, spent many years studying and working in London before returning to Helsinki to establish Bond, an international design agency with offices in Dubai, New York, and Tallinn. Milla, a graphic designer, is a partner at the advertising and design agency 358 in Helsinki.
Long before they met, Aleksi spent summers exploring the archipelago in his father’s old boat, while Milla worked aboard a small cruise ship in the area.
Searching for our dream island
After we met, we spent our summers boating through the vast Finnish Archipelago. The idea of owning a piece of this beautiful wilderness began to take root around 2015.
With over 40,000 islands in the Archipelago of Finland, you'd think finding the perfect one would be easy—but a truly special one rarely comes up for sale. We visited a few but none felt quite right.
After renting a place near Rosala for a couple of summers, we knew we wanted to find something in the area. So, we began searching outside the market, using maps to search for islands with building permissions but no existing structures.
Eventually, we found Skjulskäret and our dream began to take shape.
About Skjulskäret
Located on the edge of Archipelago National Park, our island was completely untouched—neither buildings nor human history. At 2 hectares (5 acres), it’s a compact triangle of land with three small peninsulas on its northern side. The southern side is home to a small, magical pine forest, while the northern side is more dramatic, with rocky bays that provide shelter from the elements. One bay is deep enough to serve as a natural dock, while the other is shallower and perfect for swimming.
Getting to the island isn’t easy—it’s a two-hour drive from Helsinki, followed by a 20-minute boat ride. But this remoteness is part of the archipelago’s magic.
Designing & building
We started with two buildings: a 45m² main cabin with a sauna and a 25m² workshop. Our goal was to have the structures blend seamlessly into the landscape. The cabins were placed atop a rocky hilltop, with large terraces following the natural contour of the land.
Gabled roofs provide protection from the elements while staying true to the historical aesthetics archipelago structures. Narrow spatial layouts provide more windows, maximising views and light, while keeping the design elegant and minimalistic.
For building materials, we chose solid log walls (Kontio) for their simplicity and sustainability, treated to retain their natural light color. The exterior features vertical thermo-treated pine cladding (Lunawood) for a modern touch, with felt roofing for a clean, matte finish.
Inside, the log walls are left exposed, with thermo-treated fir floors and acoustic panels on the ceilings for warmth and comfort. The decking—nearly 1,500m² of it—is thermo-treated pine—blending durability with Nordic aesthetics.
Life on the island
Sharing Project Ö with the world
What began as a personal sanctuary soon became a place we felt compelled to share. Through our social media posts and international media features, people began reaching out, asking if they could experience the island for themselves. That’s when we decided it was time to open our doors and share the magic of the Finnish Archipelago with a wider audience.
The island is small but the surrounding sea always provides plenty to look at. We’ve built bridges and steps to make walking easier—whether it’s for exploring rock outcroppings, collecting mushrooms or accessing the best swimming spot.
There are several places to cook and dine outside on warmer days, depending on wind direction and the angle of the sun. Rainy days are perfect for naps, indoor cooking, reading and games. And, of course, every day on the island is perfect for a wood-fired sauna with a view, followed by a cold dip in the sea.
What started as a personal retreat has grown into something much bigger. Now we offer three different islands, each offering an unforgettable experience of nature, solitude and relaxation.
Project Ö is a constantly evolving story, shaped by our ideas, our work, and the people who come to enjoy it. Come and experience it for yourself—the islands await you!