landet's eco-friendly cabins by andreas martin-löf embrace the swedish countryside

Landet: A Tranquil Retreat in the Swedish Countryside

Designed by Swedish architect Andreas Martin-Löf, Landet introduces a hotel concept, offering a climate-smart and natural retreat in Sweden. True to its name, which translates to ‘countryside’ in Swedish, the cabin offers a tranquil escape amidst the serene landscapes of rural Sweden, just under an hour away from Stockholm. During Stockholm Design Week 2024, designboom had the opportunity to explore Landet and discuss with the co-founders gaining insight into the concept’s vision and execution. Reflecting on the inspiration behind Landet, co-founder Umberto Garabello shares, ‘Since I was a child, I have always loved hospitality and hotels. It’s about how people interpret different ways of giving people a hospitality experience. One of the things that we’ve tried to really bring here is good design with a sense of place. We embrace unexpected elements and contrast, incorporating vibrant colors while staying true to our location.’

all images by Magnus Mårding, unless stated otherwise

Landet’s Vision and Inspiration Embraces the local archipelago

Landet (see more here) provides a convenient getaway from urban living, enabling guests to unwind amidst the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the Swedish archipelago, an experience typically limited to residents. ‘Our vision is to offer a comfortable, modern home in the countryside, where guests will be welcomed as friends. We want to share the authentic experience of the cozy Swedish lifestyle out in nature, but with all the comforts and with simple but elegant Scandinavian design,’ shares Garabello. This project, he explains, stems from a genuine love for the Swedish countryside and its way of life. ‘It all began because both of us grew up in big cities around the world. Yet, we always found solace in nature, in the countryside. Ted grew up in Sweden, in the archipelago, while I grew up in Italy and moved here a few years ago. When I moved here, I fell in love with Sweden, but also with the countryside, the archipelago and the Swedish way of life. However, as a non-Swede, I realized accessing and enjoying this lifestyle wasn’t easy. Thus, the idea emerged —to create a space enabling people to really participate and enjoy this experience.’

Scandinavian Design meets countryside charm

A Gateway to Authentic Swedish Countryside Living

Four exclusive and sustainable cabins await guests, nestled in the heart of a 400-hectare nature reserve near Trosa, renowned as one of Sweden’s most picturesque small towns. An additional six cabins are slated for completion later this summer. ‘When we started looking at lots of different areas, we aimed for somewhere in Sweden, not too far from Stockholm —somewhere easily accessible. We wanted it to be really beautiful. Then we came across this one spot, and we knew instantly: ‘This is it.’ It’s a vast estate, 400 hectares, never open to the public before, held by the same family for centuries. Situated on a peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides. It just felt right. And then we thought, okay, now we need an architect who could capture that feeling and translate it into a building,’ describes Ted Wachtmeister, the other co-founder of Landet.

each cabin, covering almost 40 sqm, features floor-to-ceiling windows that seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor spaces

One with nature

‘I believe the design speaks for itself. We aimed for minimalistic, maximizing open space within a confined area. Achieving this is challenging, but Andreas has done it exceptionally well by incorporating numerous windows,’ shares Garabello. ‘It’s a representation of going away to unwind, relax, and just go back to fundamentals. We approached this project with three key things in mind. The first one was quality. And that comes in terms of the land, the environment, the design, the furniture, and the feeling that we’re aiming for here. It also comes with the amenities, which is the second point, what you can do around. And the third point is that it needs to be environmentally friendly and approached with sustainability in mind,’ continues Wachtmeister. The eco-friendly cabins stand on simple plinth foundations, giving the impression of floating above the ground and also allowing for minimal disruption to the natural surroundings. The aim was to demonstrate maximum respect for the environment while preserving the ability to restore the site to its original condition. Each cabin, spanning nearly 40 square meters, features floor-to-ceiling windows that create a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces, providing guests with a sense of being one with nature.

the interior includes a living room with a fireplace, a dining area, and a well-equipped kitchen

Modern Comforts and Sustainable Design

Each cabin comes fully equipped for a comfortable holiday, offering modern amenities and a cozy atmosphere. The interior features a living room with a fireplace, a dining area, and a well-equipped kitchen. The bedroom includes luxurious bedding, while the bathroom contains heated floors, a rain shower, and scenic views. Outside, there are terraces and wooden decks for enjoying the sun. Guests have access to a sauna and communal fireplace, ideal for stargazing. ‘Regarding the design, we emphasized sustainability, ensuring that elements can be installed and removed without leaving a trace. We aim to position ourselves as a friendly neighbor to the land we borrow, sticking to our philosophy of leaving no trace behind. Today, all the cabinets you see can be lifted, stored, and removed. The only permanent fixture is the water infrastructure system, including the well and a smart tricolor brown plumbing system,’ explains Garabello. ‘However, all of that can be removed after. The idea is to be here maybe 15-20 years and then take everything with us, too. Just to return the land to how it was, that was really important to us, and also to the landlord, that we would treat the location with the maximum respect. Also, there’s no concrete going into the plains, just these steel poles that are bolted in,’ adds Wachtmeister.