Saimaa Cabin: A Modern Finnish-Inspired Guest House

Saimaa Cabin Story

Saimaa Cabin — also known as Cabin K — is our most beloved project, and for good reason. Its quiet simplicity and deep connection to nature continue to resonate. Blending traditional and modern elements, the design feels both timeless and grounded. These are the qualities we bring to every project, whether it's a custom home or a whole-house remodel. To us, simplicity doesn’t mean sparse—it means nothing more needs to be added or taken away for a space to feel complete.

The homeowner approach us to design a guest house for their existing remote property.

For the family, this custom cabin marked a meaningful new chapter on a long-held site. With the adult children now spread across both coasts, the entire family returns in the summer to reconnect. The design process invited them to reflect on the past while envisioning how they would gather in the future—honoring tradition while adapting to an evolving family dynamic.

The cabin’s flexible floor plan provides multiple sleeping options without including a full kitchen or bathroom—those amenities are located elsewhere on site. Designed for seasonal use, it also doesn't require heating. This intentional simplicity kept the design clean and the budget attainable: just $130,000 in 2016 for 600 square feet — that is $216 per square foot.

Its remote location posed another unique challenge: the architect, the client, and the site were all in different places. Photorealistic renderings became an essential tool to communicate and align on the vision. These images helped distill the project’s essence—a simple cabin perched lightly in nature, with just enough space to gather and space to retreat.

Rooted in Scandinavian design and perfectly suited to the Kitsap County landscape, remote cabins embody what many clients seek in a custom home: natural materials, thoughtful simplicity, and a strong connection to place. The Pacific Northwest — with its clear waters, dense forests and shifting light — pairs beautifully with the Scandinavian design ethos born in a similarly rugged and beautiful landscape with long, dark winters.

Scandinavian design emphasizes clean lines, uncluttered spaces and practical layouts that support real, everyday living. The connection to nature ever present—through daylight, framed views and natural materials like wood, stone, wool and leather. To counter dark seasons, ample light and warm wood tones add comfort. These spaces are crafted for well being, ease of use, and lasting beauty.

At Studio Kamppari, we design custom homes in Kitsap County and across the Pacific Northwest that embody these values —light-filled, enduring spaces that are deeply connected to the land and the people who live there.