Honka Rock Island Retreat – a 65 m² Tiny Cabin with a Big Sense of Space

Marko’s family has been spending summers on their beloved island for over 60 years. When it came time to replace the old cabin, the Honka Rock proved a perfect fit – not only for the family’s wishes, but for the island itself. Now it stands as if it has always been there – a contemporary interpretation of the Nordic tiny cabin ethos.

A modern log cabin on grandfather’s island

Although the boat journey from the mainland to the island owned by Marko and Meini’s family takes only a few minutes, it’s enough for the heart rate to drop and the mind to settle. From the jetty, glimpsed through the trees, the modern cabin looks new and striking – yet it sits so naturally in the landscape at the end of the old footpath that it’s hard to believe it was only recently completed.

Less than 200 years ago, the island lay beneath the surface of the water. When the water level of Lake Puula was lowered, a rocky islet emerged near the shore – known in the family as Kivelä.

“My grandfather bought the island from his cousin for 50 Finnish marks and, in the 1960s, moved here a late 19th-century log house to serve as a fishing lodge. I spent my childhood summers here with my grandparents. The place has been in my own family’s care for 15 years, and all that time I wondered whether to renovate the old cabin or replace it entirely. When I finally made the decision to act, the old building was beyond repair – so building new was the obvious choice.”

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A landscape cabin with large windows and an open plan

As the island’s building rights had already been used by the original cabin, and with only 16–17 metres to the shoreline on either side, the new building had to fit within tight constraints. The couple were adamant that the replacement should be a log house, and Honka stood out as a trusted and long-established provider.

“We had previous positive experience with Honka. Their reliability of delivery and the clarity of the overall package also influenced our choice. When the Honka representative introduced us to this new modern, lean-to-inspired design, we immediately knew the Honka Rock was exactly right for us,” says Marko.

We had previous positive experience with Honka. Their reliability of delivery and the clarity of the overall package also influenced our choice.

Marko, customer

65 square metres, perfectly utilised

In addition to the new Rock cabin, the island already features a Honka cabin from the 1980s, as well as a sauna and an outhouse – all in good working order. There was therefore no need to include washing facilities in the new build. Instead, the focus was on creating functional, open spaces for cooking and shared indoor living, along with sleeping accommodation for eight.

“I wanted a single-storey solution and dreamed of being able to see both the sunrise and sunset from inside, and to enjoy views of the lake surrounding the narrow island through large windows. I also needed sufficient storage space. All of that is realised within these 65 square metres,” says Meini.

“The layout hardly needed altering. We adjusted the external doors slightly to align with the existing pathways and chose to omit windows on one side,” Marko adds.

The atmosphere of the original cabin remains strongly present. A painting of the old building hangs on the kitchen wall, Marko’s grandparents’ crockery is still in use, and his grandfather’s beautifully crafted burl wood pieces are proudly displayed. In the living room, artwork has been created from photographs of the guestbook wall in the old cabin.

Marko’s roots are firmly in the island, and it shows in every detail.

“The cabin will eventually pass on to our children, so we involved them closely in the design process. They had a significant say, especially in furnishing and interior choices,” says Meini.

Tiny cabin construction in an off-grid spirit

Building on an island is never entirely straightforward. Demolishing the old cabin and removing the waste took two summer seasons, while transporting the logs across the ice required careful planning and preparation of an ice road.

“At times it was so warm that we doubted whether it would be possible at all, but in the end we managed to build the ice road and get everything transported in time. Looking back, assembling the cabin itself was quick and straightforward. We had excellent local carpenters. The CLT logs were delivered in March, and by Midsummer we were already spending our first nights in the cabin,” Marko recalls.

I wanted a single-storey solution and dreamed of being able to see both the sunrise and sunset from inside, and to enjoy views of the lake surrounding the narrow island through large windows. I also needed sufficient storage space. All of that is realised within these 65 square metres.

Meini, customer

CLT log construction that breathes and endures

The new cabin was designed to be easy to maintain – something that can be kept warm in winter but won’t suffer if left unheated. For that reason, solid wood was the only real choice: Honka CLT log naturally regulates temperature, cooling in summer and retaining warmth in winter. Even the surface materials, down to the flooring, were selected to withstand temperature fluctuations and frost.

“The cabin is equipped with an air-source heat pump and a heat-retaining fireplace. In winter, we also use electric radiators when needed,” says Marko.

“The old cabin had that familiar ‘grandparents’ house’ scent. The new one has wonderfully fresh, wood-scented air, and we always sleep incredibly well here. I used to spend time here mainly in summer and especially enjoyed warm, gentle heatwaves. During the building process, I experienced the island in late autumn and in early spring, when the ice breaks up with cracking and groaning sounds – and I’ve come to appreciate those seasons too,” Meini explains.

“In winter, the island effectively becomes part of the mainland, as animals like roe deer, black grouse and even lynx cross over the ice. We’re really looking forward to our first winter in the Rock, now that spending time here is so much easier,” Marko says.

The cabin feels as though it has simply been placed into the landscape. Hardly any clearing or excavation was required to make space for it.

Building facts:

• Residents: Meini, Marko, Joona and Iina
• Design: Honka Rock 65 1A, customised to client requirements – Honka Design Service
• Log: Non-settling Honka Fusion+ CLT log FXL 134 mm, zero corner, pine
• Gross floor area: 65 m²
• Net living area: 60.5 m²
• Layout: entrance hall, 2 bedrooms, open-plan kitchen and living area
• Exterior log treatment: Tikkurila Valtticolor Piki
• Flooring: Coretec SPC composite vinyl
• Fixed furniture: Korona Kitchens
• Location: Hirvensalmi, Finland
• Year of construction: 2025
• Honka ID: 4028247

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