We have written about Polestar before, so we are no strangers to their innovative and skillful design. But this, we weren’t expecting. At the ‘House by an Architect’ exhibition during the Fiskars Village Art & Design Biennale in Finland, Polestar has built the first micro space tree house – yes, you read that right. 

This project, titled KOJA, is Polestar completely reimagining sustainable travel, and utilising its design and production skills to make this dream a reality. Built in the village of Fiskars, an art and design hub in southwestern Finland, KOJA is the first submission from the Polestar Design Contest to be realised in full-scale.

Kristian Talvitie x Polestar 

The original design, by Finnish designer Kristian Talvitie, came in as a submission to the 2021 Polestar Design Contest, and received an honourable mention. While the team was preparing the launch of the 2022 contest, they decided to bring it to life. 

“We were fascinated by the idea and how it translates our brand values into a different environment. That was key for us, and we were so impressed that we decided to build it.” – Maximilian Missoni, Head of Design at Polestar

Symbiosis with nature

While endeavours to make travel more sustainable by changing the way we move are integral to change, often the main issue is how far the destination is in the first place. This was one of the ideas behind KOJA: to create idyllic and serene spaces immersed in nature, without the need to travel far to get there.

Attached to a tree trunk just below the canopy, the KOJA’s panoramic glazed façade maximises the treetop view, creating a rich, immersive experience in a natural environment. This tree house is accessible to people who would otherwise take a much longer trip to experience the wilderness. 

“Most designers look at design from a user perspective. I also look at things from the environment’s perspective. There should be a symbiosis between the design and where it’s encountered.” – Kristian Talvitie, designer of KOJA

Sustainability values 

KOJA encapsulates both Polestar design language and sustainability values, minimising the use of material and energy while maximising the experience. In building the first KOJA and bringing this design to life, Kristian Talvitie has been working closely with the Polestar Design team in Gothenburg, Sweden, and with colleagues at Finnish design agency Ultra. Created from sustainable and durable materials such as locally sourced wood and wool, KOJA blends in with its natural environment and at the same time creates an eye-catching contrast – much like Polestar’s cars.

Pictures: Polestar