Hvitträsk.

Imagine being an architect. Imagine that you build the house of your in the middle of the Kirkkonummi forests (close to where the Aavaranta refugee facility is located nowadays, hah). It is the beginning of the 20th century and you are not alone in the quest of building “the house” – you have a group of several other architect friends of yours with you…

 

Hvitträsk was designed between 1901-1903 by architects Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren and Eliel Saarinen; it served both as a common studio for them and as a home. And apparently as a venue for cultural events as Hvitträsk was also frequented by other artists, such as Jean Sibelius, Axel Gallen-Kallela and Maksim Gorki.

Oh my, this place is extraordinary. It is located just off the lake Vitträsk (hint: sauna), and surrounded by a beautiful English-style garden (currently the rose garden is under reconstruction, so don’t be disappointed)(hint: café). It is slightly different a home museum (kotimuseo); very modern, slightly bizarre in its romantic-castle-like way. Swarming with hiding places for the little ones and refuges for the little older ones. Homey yet representative, large yet cosy, modern yet romantic… well, I could live there.