Studio Ellsinger's Hee House: A Compact Coastal Retreat in Sweden

Studio Ellsinger has completed Hee House, a compact vacation home on Sweden's West Coast, just south of Hamburgsund. The 49-square-meter footprint (7 by 7 meters) rises to 7 meters in height, creating a surprisingly spacious interior. The design responds to the coastal climate with a closed northern façade for privacy and large openings to the south and east to draw in light and connect with the landscape. Roof loads are carried by a horizontal laminated timber frame, eliminating the need for bracing or exposed beams. The exterior is clad in untreated aluminum sinus sheeting for durability and natural weathering. The clients, a photographer and a writer, collaborated closely with the architects, resulting in a fully bespoke interior where nearly every element, from window profiles to kitchen and furnishings, was custom-designed. A central volume features a lofted platform supported by a full-width bookshelf that integrates a fireplace and extensive shelving, serving as structural support, storage, and room divider. The project, completed in 2024, demonstrates how careful overlap of functions can make a compact footprint feel larger. Lead architect Mikael Ellsinger led the design, with photography by Christopher Hunt.