Since Christmas 2015, Maria Förstberg, a librarian and weaver, has been living in a home tailor-made for her in Linköping, in southern Sweden. The structure, a pair of gabled volumes clad in corrugated aluminum looks much like a child’s drawing come to life, and is the work of her son, architect Björn Förstberg, and his partner, Mikael Ling. It was Förstberg Ling‘s very first project.
Originally dreamed up as an entry for a sustainable housing exhibition in Linköping?planned back in 2013 and opening this September?House for Mother instantly became a Pinterest sensation (and has us encouraging our own children to consider a career in design). We’re especially drawn to the double-height, plywood-clad kitchen, which overlooks a living area complete with a greenhouse. The architects explain that they aimed to “balance spatiality with intimate rooms, formal simplicity with strong materiality.” Translation: The design manages to be both airy and embracing, clean-lined and full of life. And all of the materials choices are budget friendly. Join us for a look. Photography by Markus Linderoth, courtesy of Förstberg Ling.

Above: With its soaring ceiling and exposed beams and trusses, the design references barn construction. The rooms are wrapped in plywood and parts of the kitchen are set off with a graphite-colored stain from Osmo. A full-height fridge and freezer are tucked into a pantry on the other side of the sink wall.

Above: O...