A sense of belonging – Mikko Nissilä’s family home in a modern wooden house is an art of balance

Mikko Nissilä’s home, dining area — The downstairs area is mostly an open living space, with a large dining table defining the kitchen area. A large window wall offers a view of the small private yard and the adjoining park-like forest.

A home is at its best when it blends authenticity, coziness, and practicality. The house architect Mikko Nissilä designed for his family in Espoo, southern Finland, demonstrates that beauty, quality, and moderation can coexist in perfect harmony.

ACCORDING TO Finnish architect Mikko Nissilä, a home is successful when it feels like a place you never want to leave, when the search for something better ends, and when it holds a meaningful part of your personal history.

For the past three years, the house Nissilä designed has provided exactly that, offering a welcoming atmosphere enjoyed by Mikko, his wife Kaisa-Maria, and their children, Silvia and Vincent.

Audo Copenhagen Hashira pendant — The entrance was tiled with raw, characterful tiles, with wider-than-usual grout lines. Lounge chairs are Nissilä’s weakness. The living room features two Remmi chairs by Yrjö Kukkapuro. The large Hashira pendant lamps are from Audo Copenhagen.

Knoll Bertoia tuoli, kromi — The kitchen is located on one side of the open space. A large ash dining table, custom-made by a carpenter, sits in the center. Surrounding the table are Knoll’s Bertoia metal chairs.

GUBI Semi pendant 47 cm, matt black — Above the kitchen table, hangs a pair of black Semi pendant lights by GUBI. The wooden Biennale stool is by Nikari.

Located right next to Helsinki in Espoo, this 102-square-meter single-family home is one of five nearly identical houses built simultaneously in a shared courtyard. This is the second project of its kind that Nissilä, who works at his own MINIMO architectural firm, has been involved in. He has designed many houses, and his approach is straightforward: visualize dreams within realistic constraints and manage the budget precisely.

Beauty, quality, moderation, and reason go hand in hand.

“I seek a balance for the project through the overall concept and details, hoping the building’s main visual idea becomes clear at first glance. I start with the efficiency or ‘juiciness’ of the plot, as I call it, aiming to find the best possible layout and massing for the site.”

The house built for his own family follows these principles. The wooden structure is clear and barn-like, with a recessed terrace extending from the almost entirely windowed end that opens to a more private yard. Ribbon windows in the bedrooms and window panels downstairs add rhythm to the otherwise minimalist design.

Mikko Nissilä’s home, facade — The timber house has a rustic, storeroom-inspired design, with a gabled roof that provides shelter for the terrace. The small yard blends into the wooded park that begins next to the property.

Mikko Nissilä’s home, kitchen — The long countertop in the ash wood kitchen was custom-made from luxurious Colonial White granite.

Nemo Lighting Lampe de Marseille wall lamp, white — The kitchen’s task light is the Lampe de Marseille by Nemo Lighting.

The square meters under the strong-gabled roof are divided into two levels: downstairs are the shared, open spaces, a double-height kitchen and living area, a sauna with washing facilities, and a cloakroom for outerwear. Upstairs are three compact bedrooms and a combined bath-laundry room. The space is used efficiently, allocated where it’s needed most.

“I try to make shared, frequently used spaces like kitchens and dining areas spacious, while sleeping areas can be smaller. The entrance is also crucial for both functionality and aesthetics.”

Vitra Akari 10A floor lamp — The buildings are arranged in a tight cluster, with privacy maintained through strategic window placement. The sculptural sofa in the living room is Origami by Adea, and the floor lamp is the classic Akari 10A by Vitra.

Mikko Nissilä’s home, terrace — The larch terrace wraps around two sides of the house, accommodating several seating areas. Kaisa-Maria’s passion for gardening is evident in the ornamental grasses, large stones, and a few select trees that blend beautifully with the surrounding forest landscape.

Fermob Bistro Metal chair, liquorice — The terrace area extends from the recessed end and extends all the way to the other side of the house. The openings and finely crafted details make the overall design interesting. The furniture is from Fermob’s Bistro series.

In Nissilä’s designs, practicality and beauty are inseparable. Materials, their shades and textures, and details are essential – they create the place’s finish, quality, and spirit. In his own home, the architect is willing to go the extra mile for beauty. For instance, the matte, rough floor tiles require occasional waxing. Every home is tailored to the residents’ wishes and daily habits, making it the best possible home for them.

In Nissilä’s designs, practicality and beauty are inseparable.

Nissilä approaches buildings both from the outside in terms of the overall shape and from the inside out. He carefully considers where to place the dining table or sofa, where the resident’s piano or exercise equipment will fit, and how to make laundry and clothing storage solutions functional. Interior design is part of the home’s planning from the start. For a balanced overall look, both large and small elements and indoor and outdoor spaces must harmonize.

Artek Aalto children’s chair N65, birch — Ribbon windows dominate the small upstairs bedrooms. Currently, the children share a room, while the other bedroom is reserved for playing and crafting. The furnishings include timeless Aalto classics, such as the small N65 chairs.

Mikko Nissilä’s home, bedroom — The parents’ bedroom includes the essentials: a good bed and a clothing rack. The simple linen-bedded bed is enhanced by pillowcases designed by Mikko’s cousin, Hanna Puukko, and a painting by Hannu Lukin.

Mikko Nissilä’s home, bathroom and laundry space — Laundry facilities are incorporated into the upstairs bathroom, hidden behind tall, discreet doors.

Mikko Nissilä’s home, sauna — The sauna and washing facilities are small but feel larger thanks to their smart design. The material palette for these spaces is elegantly simple.

Homes can be built to high standards on a reasonable budget by combining hardware store materials with custom-made parts. For example, the stairs and railings in this home were custom-made.

Nissilä’s style has evolved into one of simple clarity. Simplicity has power and, in Nissilä’s case, it also brings coziness and sensitivity.

“I compare my style to music production: A good and atmospherically clear basic sound is the most important element. Desired tones and depth are then added with accents.”