Gotland House: Rediscovering the Essence of Simplicity

On the shores of Gotland Island, Sweden, enveloped by the whisper of ancient pines and the quiet melody of nature, stands a dwelling that harmoniously blends the raw beauty of natural materials with contemporary elegance.

The architecture is a refined exercise in balance, a constant dialogue between openness and intimacy. Warm wood interiors, expansive windows, and a thoughtful selection of colourful furnishings and handcrafted details create a space that invites contemplation, creativity, and a deep connection with the surrounding environment.

At the heart of this vision lies the kitchen: a sanctuary for the owner’s culinary passion, a place where experimentation knows no boundaries. A pioneer in recognising the revolutionary potential of design and technology, the owner of this house was among the first to adopt Model 1S by Unox Casa. Installed in the bright, airy kitchen, this extraordinary appliance redefines the concept of balance between aesthetics and functionality in domestic spaces.

This is more than a home; it is a living, breathing narrative of refined simplicity, culinary devotion, and the quiet luxury of a life beautifully lived.

The “Pioneer,” owner of Gotland House and one of the first to choose SuperOven for his kitchen, is with us today to share his invaluable experience.

My wife and I are filmmakers, and we stumbled upon this Swedish island, where Ingmar Bergman, one of the world’s most celebrated directors, once lived. It was love at first sight. So, about 15 or 20 years ago, we decided to buy a house here.

The choice of style was a long and thoughtful journey. We wanted something that stood out from the surrounding landscape: beautiful buildings, but mostly in concrete, which didn’t reflect our ideal of a home. In the end, we got inspired by old Swedish barns - and we built our dream home starting from this idea.

The island itself was our greatest source of inspiration. The sea, the green hills, the light that changes throughout the day… We wanted our house to be an extension of this landscape, and in fact, most of the materials we used come directly from Gotland. Today, our home is in perfect harmony with the environment that surrounds it.

I don’t think it can be defined by a single design style, because it’s a mix of different influences, but if I had to describe it in two words, I’d say ‘bold’ and ‘colourful’. It’s a warm, welcoming space, made less formal by lively furnishings. We love hosting friends and family, so we wanted the house to convey a sense of familiarity and conviviality.

When we designed the house, we set some fundamental rules. The first one? To leave everything visible. We didn’t want to hide anything, but instead to highlight the purity of the materials and the environment. That’s why we chose to expose the wooden beams, the steel, every structural element. And we wanted the kitchen to follow the same principle, to be readable, as if it had been 'drawn' by hand.

Similarly, we were looking for an oven that was exactly what you expect from an oven: essential in shape, recognisable, without artifices. That’s why I chose Model 1S, and I’m still fascinated by it. Of course, it’s a powerhouse of technology and incredibly intuitive, but what won me over is its design: bold, clean, authentic. It is a beautiful oven.

At first, it was the design that impressed me – a real eye-catcher. Then, as I learned more, I immediately connected the Unox Casa brand to UNOX.

I’m a director, but also a food journalist. I’ve travelled a lot for work and had the chance to step into kitchens of restaurants all over the world. In every professional kitchen, I’ve always seen UNOX ovens, so I was already familiar with the brand and the quality of its performance. I knew that any product bearing the UNOX name was synonymous with cutting-edge technology, innovation, and reliability. So, when I discovered Unox Casa and Model 1S, aware of its potential, I truly fell in love with the design.

After installing it in my kitchen, I began to experiment. It gave me the opportunity to express my culinary creativity with surprising ease, achieving results far beyond my expectations. And then there was one detail I really appreciated: shortly after installation, Unox Casa offered me exclusive support. A corporate chef came here to Gotland House for a personalised training. Together, we prepared an entire menu, while guiding me through all the oven’s features. It was an extremely useful and, above all, unique experience.

Yes, I truly believe that SuperOven represents an extraordinary innovation in the world of home appliances. It’s a highly advanced oven, but at the same time incredibly intuitive. The most revolutionary innovations of this century, in my opinion, are those that have managed to simplify something extremely complex. And SuperOven is a perfect example of this principle.

And the future of cooking? I imagine it as a return to essentials: few things, done well. I believe the appliances of the future will be like Model 1S: minimalist, essential, with a few functions but perfectly optimised. And, above all, designed to truly meet the needs of the people who use them.

Discover SuperOven’s essential features

The Pioneer’s testimony reveals the power of essential design and simplicity: when an idea is strong enough, every element finds its place, blending in perfect harmony. Gotland House is living proof of this: every detail converses with itself, with the surrounding environment, with the very soul of the island. Thus, in its kitchen, Unox Casa’s SuperOven becomes a masterpiece of minimalist art, but also and above all, a true portal for creativity.

Pic credits - Mirjam Bleeker | Frank J. Visser Photography Ltd. | Studio From