New tiny house – 2026 : the community hub

the inside of the hub

The community hub

You may know this place as the round house. It is now a community hub.

First intended as a sauna, the round house is the second tiny house that was built on Hästekasen farm, in 2012. It turned out to be too complicated to heat, and was used as an accomodation for volunteers and guests instead.

When the Dutch family settled in the main “Red house”, the association needed a new community place that fulfills essential collective functions. There is a shower, with a water heater and a water pump, a laundry station with a washing machine, and a kitchen, with a stove, a fridge, and a sink for dishwashing. There is also some storage areas as well as a few chairs for chatting while cooking.

The logistical hub will also cater for AirBnB guests.

A full year of work, with the help of several volunteers, was put into transforming the round house place into such a place. Here is the result.

WARNING! The water is not drinkable, it comes from the pond.

A house building show case

The building itself is a show case house of many different building techniques with natural materials.

First of all, the house is round… with a reciprocal roof beams that allows a round window at the top. On top of the roof lies straw, waterproofed with a pond liner covered with soil and grass.

The whole structure is timber frame, with round logs. Walls are either strawbale with clay/sand surface, or light clay /chopped straw mixed with clay/sand, or cordwood masonry (also called stacked firewood building), and lastly a part of logs.

The floor was initially a (failed) clay floor. Wooden planks were put on top, but slowly decomposed with humidity over the years. As did the lower logs that had to be replaced. Today, there is a brand new floor with grinded wooden planks that is ventilated.

The laundry – shower – water pump section has the luxury of a cement and glasfiber floor. Here, modernity meets some alterative traditional building methods ! And all appliances (“white ware” as we call it in Sweden) is second hand.

We learn from trials and mistakes. This makes the community hub the perfect place to teach several natural building techniques. It is included in our study visits.

A challenging work

Creating the hub and all its functions for the community was a challenge on many levels.

The plumbing system

In Sweden, there is frost during winter. To protect the plumbing system, pipes had to be dug down, and places for emptying them in case they are not used during the frosty season were implemented.

It is the first time at Hâstekasen that the water system for laundry, shower and dish washing is separated from the usual drinking water system. We use our pond water (be careful, it is not drinkable).

The electrical system

Four of our tiny houses have an off grid 12V electric system. But for essential community functions used by the collective, it was convenient to have a central hub that offers the comfort of 220V electricity.

The 220V system is distributed through three phases that had to be calibrated : in order to avoid over using any of the phases, the heavy electricity users (basically, everything that heats) had to be spread out.

So a new electrical substation was built.

The Siam boat adventure

Siam boat taking in water in the sunny harbour

Our fishing boat Siam acquired last summer went through some hardships this winter.

Our fishing boat sinking

With a hole in the hull, it was close to sinking several times. But thanks to the interventions of Martijn, Sebastian and Agne, Siam was saved.

Equipped with a brand new water pump, connected to a battery charging with a solar pannel installed for the occasion, it now remains dry. Some freediving and dry work are planned this summer to fix the hole once and for all.

But there was still a big problem to solve.

The engine problem

The Volvo Penta diesel engine that had been under water was not functionning anymore. It would simply not start.

Sebastian bought a new starter motor, and with some work together with Jeanne and Chat GPT, the other causes of the problem were investigated.

The injector chambers were inspected, the injectors themselves got tested in Gothenburg, and it turn out that it was the injection pump that stopped the fuel from being delivered.

With some moves that were sometimes random, we finally managed to find a way to start the engine.

Siam back to normal

We were rewarded by hosting the first freediving course of the season, as well as a boat excursion with some Hästekasen residents.

Things are back to normal, and you can enjoy extra quality freediving courses at the farm.

As well as boat tours on Koljö Fjorden.

Freediving happening – 1st & 2nd August 2026

Surface seen from underwater with silouhettes.
Freediving happening. FSE logo.

A freediving happening featuring many underwater activities.

Date

Starts Saturday August 1st
Ends around 4 PM Sunday August 2nd


FREEDIVING HAPPENING CONTENT

Freediving flea market, excursions, depth diving (up to 35 meters), participation in games competitions, test equipment, yoga, sauna, bonfire, film, sleeping place (bring sleeping bag).

Game competitions

  • Guess-your-depth
  • Breath holding – Magic 3
  • CNF Noseclip only
  • VWT
  • Depth relay
  • Team breath holding
  • Underwater treasure hunt
  • Other

Booking

Indicate your personal best in depth diving with fins.
Also indicate your 2025 personal best, if it is different.
Indicate your personal best in static breath holding.
Indicate if you have a dive partner with you.


Payment

70 €
Bank Giro: 5609-0384
STATE name and “Jippo26”

Equipment/suit can be rented: 30€

Bring training clothes and bed linen. Soft clothes for stretching and hat and jacket for boat excursion.

You can also come here and camp in your own tent/van, water and outhouse are available.

Bring your own food for the grill or buy food from us 20€ per day.


Possible schedule

(all activities are weather dependent)

SATURDAY

11.00 Own warm-up in pairs

12.00 Breath holding – Magic 3
Everyone starts simultaneously in static breath holding, the one who ends their breath hold closest to 3 minutes…wins.

12.15 Own diving in pairs.
Lines at 10, 20, 30 meters

13.00 Guess-your-depth

On an unmarked depth line you shall swim down to what you think is 15 meters. Do not touch the line. The one who is closest…wins.
May be repeated two times.

14.00 Depth relay in teams (FSE makes the teams)
Teams of three. 3×15 meters. Swim or pull yourself down to 15 meters and up again and switch to the next participant through hand clap above the surface.
May be repeated two times.

15.00 Sled riding
Stand without fins on a bottom weight and be lowered down, release when you want, pull yourself up. Not competition. One chance.

15.00 Underwater treasure hunt in pairs. Find things at different depths on the bottom. 3-20 meters. Area 100×20 meters. Stones in colors of gold 5 points, silver 3 points, white 1 point.

17.00 Diving ends

18.00 Sauna

20.00 Dinner, bonfire in the Tavern. Calculation of score standings.


SUNDAY

9.00 Yoga

10.00 Breakfast in the tavern.

11.00 Own warm-up in pairs.

11.00 Underwater treasure hunt in pairs. Find things at different depths on the bottom. 3-20 meters. Area 100×20 meters. Stones in colors of gold 5 points, silver 3 points, white 1 point.

12.00 Team breath holding
In teams of three hold your breath as long as you can in relay. Longest total time wins. Next participant must be under the surface before the next diver comes up.

12.30 Depth relay in teams (FSE makes the teams)
Teams of three. 3×15 meters. Swim, or pull yourself down to 15 meters and up again and switch to the next participant through hand clap above the surface.
May be repeated two times.

13.00 CNF Noseclip only
As deep as you can with only nose clip and swimsuit. No mask, no suit. This category has a special prize.

13.00 Sled riding
Stand without fins on a bottom weight and be lowered down, release when you want, pull yourself up. Not competition. One chance.

13.00 Underwater treasure hunt in pairs. Find things at different depths on the bottom. 3-20 meters. Area 100×20 meters. Stones in colors of gold 5 points, silver 3 points, white 1 point.

15.00 Diving ends

16.00 Meeting at the farm, prize ceremony.
All performances are counted together (approximately 12 competition efforts). Your placements in each competition.



First part of three

An article about extreme training in freediving.

Creative festival – 23rd July – 2nd August 2026

During our creative festival, we explore the things that Hästekasen community has proven to be passionate about over the years. During ten days, at the height of Swedish summer, we invite old and new friends to share our favorite activities and traditions.

Accommodation in tents that we provide. Come one or more days.

LARP

23rd – 25th July

LARP orcs

Two days of an imersive medieval role playing game in our fantasy forest. More details here.

Land activties

26th – 31st July

Volunteers lifting a log

Workshops and study visits: permaculture, compost, off grid homes, clay tiny houses, nature reserve, forest, berry picking, drumming, yoga, personnal development, fire circles.

Sea activties

1st – 2nd August

Freediver in the water with a snorkel

Swimming, snorckeling, cliff jumping, fishing, canoe trips, sea weed gathering. And special freediving.

Creative festival schedule

23-25th July; LARP
26th July; arrival, study visit, social games, “loppis”
27th: details later
28th: details later
29th: details later
30th: details later
31st: details later
1-2nd August; freediving, snorkeling and sea excursion days. Cliff jumping and fishing.

7.30 breakfast
14.00 lunch
19.00 dinner

Daily sessions

9.00-11.00 session #1
11.30-13.30 session #2
16.00-18.00 session #3
20.00-22.00 session #4

Study visit; off grid homes, Tiny houses, natural building techniques
Study visit; soil, gardening, compost, water systems, permaculture
Study visit; larp area including trying archery and larp sword fighting
Long walk: Swedish nature, trekking skills, ecology theory
Boat trip: nature reserve island & shopping in the next village harbor
Boat trip: Camp on a beach/island. Swim
Canoe in the bay: and seaweed collection
Long session / sleep out: survival trekking hide and seek sleep out
Session: Drumming and chanting for dummies
Session: Jamming session by the fire
Session: Berry (mushroom?) picking.
Session: Early morning animal watch (05.00)
Session: Nighttime maze walk with torches (24.00)
Session: Talking circles on specific topics
Session: Body movement
Session: Breath, mind focus and breath hold session
Session: Library quest (Swedish)
Session: Yoga
Session: Blacksmithing
Session: Karma yoga – soil work
Session: Local cultural heritage (lecture)

Fees

Place in a tent (bring sleeping bag)5€/day
Material for activities10€/day
Simple food (fancier food will be sold)10€/day
LARP (incl. costume)50€ + 50€ deposit
Freediving special70€
Woods whisperers poster

A Dutch family settling at Hästekasen

The village is growing

At Hästekasen village now live Martijn and Jessica with their two boys Bela and Joes and their dog Bram.

They have left their boat-house in the Netherlands to live on the Swedish country side.

They have made the red house their own and make the neighbourhood liveful and the garden blossom.

Welkom allemaal !

Meet the family

Jessica

Jessica is an artist and art professor. Skilled in many techniques, she is notably passionate about ceramics.

Martijn

Martijn is a farmer who is knowledgeable about both plants and agriculture as well as animals. He especially loves cows.

Bela and Joes

Bela and Joes are not finished with exploring the farm’s treasures.


Follow their Swedish adventures on their Instagram


New projects

As soon as spring began, Martijn and Jessica started farming and exploring the farm’s soil and which crops would thrive best where.

They follow biodynamic farming method and want to start a community supported agriculture system (CSA) where the community and people from outside can harvest a variety of crops.

They have some farm animals, like chickens and ducks, and hopefully cows in the future.

Jessica is also making balms, herb teas and soaps from herbs and flowers from the land.

Around this, they also want to offer educational workshops, both in agriculture and in art – like ceramics and making paint from plants.


Stay updated on our social media and website to know more about their coming projects.

New tiny house – 2025 : the Hästekasen library

This summer 2025, Hästekasen members and volunteers have created a new DIY off grid tiny house for the village : a circular wooden library.


The Hästekasen library

The Hästekasen library has a view on a peaceful meadow, a 12 V off grid electrical system, comfy armchairs and a roaring fire stove. It is the perfect place for a lonely read by the window during winter, a fancy fika between friends, a quiet work session on the computer, for a focused chess game and even a meditation session.

Thanks to our concept “one volunteer brings one book” as well as the generous donation from one of our members, the Hästekasen library contains not less than 5000 books of all genres and many languages (even though a majority is in Swedish).

From the floor to the ceiling, you are not finished exploring the richness of this new place !


An off-grid show case

With two solar pannels on the roof and two 12V batteries connected in series, the Hästekasen library is also a pedagogical show case for simple DIY off grid electrical systems. It is included in our study visits.

It is the 4th Hästekasen tiny house to be off grid. You can use the electricity for the lamp as well as charging your phone and computer. Any 12V device can be plugged in.


Library quest

In Swedish only

Tea and books on the library table

We offer a literary challenge between friends among our 5000 books. A fun quest where you solve riddles, discover new books as well as rediscover the classics and may learn something about your friends’ literary tastes.

2-4 hours

20€/person
min. 3 people – max. 6 people.


Follow our library updates

Our facebook group regularly features some selected books from our library.

Join us to stay updated on our readings and maybe join a future book club.

Adventure learning project – Erasmus+

Hastekasen Farm and adventure center is on occasion renting the sailing yacht Bon Aventura to use as an educational platform for Adventure learning and leadership training.
How can an adventurous situation enhance learning different competences? Everything from the obvious; boatmanship, sailing, navigation, mechanic and electrical skills. But also; team building, creativity, organizational skills, leadership. At times done under stress full situations that have real risks and consequences.

While living onboard there will also be development in communication, cultural skills, civic competence. Since the project is “open” there will be lots of documentation and story telling (inspiring others). And all the time – personal development; encouraging; curiosity, boldness, self awareness, entrepreneurship.

The EU project is called Key action-2 partnership. It has four partner NGOs and the purpose is to educate leaders/youth workers in the method adventure learning, and in the process of travel/adventure explore and strengthen European identity.

The funding is partly for non-formal learning activities (Sometimes on board a rented boat, sometimes more forest oriented)

The rented boat is s/y Bon Aventura that will take shorter and longer educational trips with participants.

The aim is to meet other NGOs and make lots of inspirational / educational videos that talk about; adventure and learning and to some extent European identity.

If you want to understand more about adventure method and sailing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lq4jcV2CJ8&t

Planned activities

2023 – Sept – Preparatory sail and inventory – done
2023 – Sept – Big walk and Alarm adventure learning exercise – Done
2023 – Oct – TPM – Leadership coordinators meeting and sailing – Done

2024 – April – Experiential adventure sail #1 – Done
2024 – April – Big walk adventure learning exercise – Done
2024 – April – Alarm adventure learning exercise – Done

2024 – May – Experiential adventure sail #2- Done
2024 – May – Big walk adventure learning exercise – Done
2024 – May – Alarm adventure learning exercise – Done
2024 – May – Sail training – Done
2024 – May – Experiential adventure sail #3 – Done
2024 – May – Experiential adventure sail #4 – Done

2024 – June – Sail training – Done
2024 – June – Big walk and Alarm adventure learning exercise – Done
2024 – June TPM meeting and workshops and sail – Done

2024 – July – Experiential adventure sail #5 – Done
2024 – July – Big walk adventure learning exercise – Done
2024 – July – Gimle edu larp adventure
2024 – July – Alarm adventure learning exercise – Done

2024 – August – LTT (a,b,c) – workshop and long sail – Done
2024 – August – Dissemination, study visit trip – Done

2024 – Sept – Big walk adventure learning exercise – Done
2024 – Sept – Alarm adventure learning exercise – Done

2025 – Oct – Experiential adventure sail #6 – Done
2025 – June – Gimle edu larp adventure leaders meeting – Done
2025 – June – LTT – forest project Germany –
2025 – August – TPM –
2025 – August – Dissemination sail –

2026 – LTT –
2026 – TPM –
2026 – August – Dissemination sail

MANUALS produced

Pedagogy – the ability to learn

Adventure method design

Big trauma crash course

Injury preparedness at the venue

The big walk concept

Edu LARP social adventure innovation report

Activity schedules

The adventure learning method

How can an adventurous situation enhance learning different competences? Everything from the obvious; boatmanship, sailing, navigation, mechanic and electrical skills. But also; team building, creativity, organizational skills, leadership. At times done under stress full situations that have real risks and consequences.

While living onboard there will also be development in communication, cultural skills, civic competence. Since the project is “open” there will be lots of documentation and story telling (inspiring others). And all the time – personal development; encouraging; curiosity, boldness, self awareness, entrepreneurship…

Check our Facebook page

Join our Youtube channel

Do our quizzes

…and see what you know about some of the practical boat competences we strive develop.

Comment

The adventure learning method can off course be applied in many situations that are signified by: real live situations, with aspects of uncertainty, risk-reward, physical challenges, positive stress, accountability for personal actions, and often in nature. It is often signified by demanding full attention from the participant. It could be hiking in forest or mountain, canoeing, bicycling, different adventure sports – and on top of that adding situations with tuition/coaching/workshops. And situations of trial and error where applicable.

It implies not only learning practical specific skills, but a more holistic learning situation that also encompasses the competence aspect of “attitude”.

Sailing may seam like a inaccessible activity for most, but Sweden is known for its vast archipelagos that is accessible for anyone with a boat, and small boats can be very cheap in Sweden (if knowing where to look), if being able to overcome lack of equipment with skill.

Other partners

Nausika, Gen-Ukraine, Jongilirium
Freediving FSE, Gimle

Climb Kebnekaise middle of winter

Peak

Christmas full moon 24th December 2023. Darkest month of the year.

More people have summited Mount Everest, than climbed Kebnekaise during midwinter (one storyKilimanjaro was a walk in the park compared to this” it was end of March and they failed) (webcamera)

Kebnekaise is Swedens highest mountain. It is only 2100 meters high, but its still 1600 meter to ascend and it is above the arctic circle. Summertime it is just a hard trek with hostels at the base of the mountain.
Wintertime it is a real challenge. Dark (5 hrs light a day), cold as fuck and possible storms, and no hostels open. 2016 I failed reaching the top, (and I am a person that has climbed Everest to 7000meters). Not even Swedish mountain military commandos train here during this month, they wait until march to play around here.
So this means one has to be trained and prepared, and with the right gear.

We are inviting team members… the more the merrier. But you must abide the rules, do the training and bring the ´gear.

I suggest only aiming for the south top (its a few meters lower). North top is bloody dangerous, especially during winter.


Schedule

Two schedules (alternative schedule to reach peak at shortest night and slower pace)


17th Weather check + start travelling to HFA (14th)
18th team assembles at Hastekasen (15th)
20th leave Hastekasen farm — (17th)
(20th camp out, 21st booked hostel)
22rd Park Cars at Nikaluokta (camp out or hostel (500skr)) — (19th)
23rd 05.00 start ski to base camp (K station: closed?) — (20th)
Peak at: 2023 December 24th at the fullmoon — (22nd)
(or one day later, we may need to make an ABC camp)
25th camp below — 23rd
26th reach cars – mega sauna, dinner, bed at Hotel (800-1000skr) — (24th)
29th return to Hastekasen — (28th)
+ 3 extra days if weather goes bad.

Weathercancel: 18th December decision (15th)
– If rain = cancel
– If colder than -20 = cancel or delay
– If more than 13 m/s = cancel or delay

Alternative activity if weather cancel?

Route

Hastekasen – Nikaluokta 1600km (to bring the Van will cost about 9000skr) (4 maybe 5 people = 2500 skr travel costs)
Nikaluokta – Base camp 20km skies
Summit attempt + 17km and 1600 height meter
(Strong people create ski tracks, carry shared gear / sled and set up first tents, boil hot water)

First stage

Skiing 20 km in one day with heavy gear in deep snow, darkness, maybe in bad weather is – tough. We should seek the scooter trails, head for the lake and ski on the lake. We may want to use the full moon whenever we can.
Camp with tents in lee of the station. Dump gear here.
Second stage:
Start of with skis, that may only work a few 100 meters. With special skis one may be able to go higher. Switch to snow shoes.
Walking 1600 height meter in heavy snow in darkness is probably impossible to do in one day. Lets bivouac 2/3 up. Dump more gear and do the last stage whenever weather and moon says yes.
Third stage: Summit attempt. Trick is not to get lost and fall down the ravine (east side), visibility can be low. We may have to walk very slow. Weather can change in a few hours. We must make it back to the bivouac.
Any attempts at North top must be done alpine style, crampons, ice pick e t c in good conditions.
Fourth stage: going down, can be done pretty fast, stay together – this is when people get injured and die. We may have strength to just short rest at base camp at the station and then ski non-stop to Ninaluokta and a hot shower/dinner.

Level of training

video
Many compare the effort of the climb SUMMERTIME as running a marathon!
If you join, make sure you can do the following:
10k under 1hr
4.5 hrs walk with 20 kilo back pack (in the same boots as intended)
Treadmill 15% elevation, 4km/h for 1h
Ski for 4h (also added training with roller skies)
Use the walkie treadmill in the gym to train ski movement (use your boots)
Walk 30 km with 15kg backpack (in the same boots as intended)
Everyone must be able to memorize the route without map

Gear

Cars must have winter tires (dubb)
Goose feather clothing + goggles
Skies & snow shoes and crampons
(Randonnée ?) (Ice axe ?) (transceivers for avalanche ?)
– 18 sleeping bag
Map, compass, super headlamp, one carbine hook
Fully charged mobile with powerbank
Personal kitchen + 4 kilo food + snacks
e t c
(HFA has: tents, maybe gas kitchens, compass, whistles, sled, 5 seater car, walkie talkies some sleepingbags (but not that warm).


Avalanche signs:

  • Heavy snowfall
  • Sudden warmer weather / rain
  • Recent avalanches
  • Sounds of moving snow masses
  • Traveling on leeward slopes is dangerous, especially if it’s a north/northeast-facing slope.

1 in 4 dies in avalanches

Equipment:

Avalanche probe (like a pole)

Shared gear

Sled
Two snow shovels
30 meter rope with “puller”
Walkie talkies
First aid bag


Rules

– Each person turns when ever they want (live to fight another day).
– Know your limits, don’t be macho and destroy he expedition.
– Be ready to turn even if its just a 100 meters left.
– See the weather cancel rules.
– No body goes alone.
– We may split up in two man teams.
– We can change teams along the way, depending on ambition.
– If some one is injured we may split the team, some continue, some return.
– If some one dies we abort.

Facts

1800 m a small hut (only protects for wind)
2040 m a small hut (only protects for wind)
The western route takes you to the plateau and a glacier, here it gets dangerous until the south top, from there to the north top is VERY dangerous.
Moon rises around 3PM and is up all night until 9.00 in the morning. Fullmoon is at 27th.

Team

Sebastian
Max
Rami ?
Axel ?
Peter ?
Mati ?
Daniel ?

Questions

Will there be mobile connection? Probably not always.
How accurate will GPS be?
Are we ready to build a bivouac half way up and sit there and wait out a possible storm? For how many days?
Which road up? Coast or inland?
When does the moon rise?

Transceiver

Avalanche backpack

Memorize this, but remember, its summer.
Already at point A, you might have to ditch your skis if you don’t have some kind of climbing skins.
If you need to stop before the top, point C might be suitable, just before the steepest ascent begins.

Construction and art – build an OrcFort

Building a fort for Orcs in the wild forest. Learn basic building skills. Do artwork. Some Larping photo shoots.

When

9-16 April 2023
Arrive on 9th
Leave on 16th

Where

Sweden, westcoast, close to Uddevalla

Travel and accommodation

6 days + 2 days travel
ALL paid for. Food, accommodation, activities and travel (up to a limit 275 euro).
17-30 years of age
Participants only from: Sweden, Poland, Ukraine

Apply here

You will learn to

– Use a hammer and a saw
– Build a palisade and a tower
– Work with natural materials such as wood and logs.
– Do some artwork
– Live simple
– Cook and bake
– Make a fire
– Reflect and share your experience and  feelings with others
– Make friends
– Enjoy wild nature

Schedule

Day 1)

Erasmus knowledge, GTKEO, fears and expectations, personal goals. Night walk. Fire night. Introduction to tools. Sharing #1

Day 2–5

Building a fort for Orcs in the wild forest. Carpentry
Learn basic building skills.
Also:
– Do artwork. Paint tribal art on a gate.
– Move some logs and stones.
– Do artwork on a VAN
– Some Larping photo shoots.
– Fire and drumming in the Firedungeon
– Hot tub / Sauna
– Heat up the viking hall for meetings

Day 6)

Brunch and Sharing #3. Evaluation
Celebrate: fire night. Sharing #4

You can stay extra days if you want

Warning

– Life is simple here.
– Dry toilets (no normal toilets)
– Vegetarian food
– NO SMOKING HERE.
– April is cold, we sleep with sleeping bags and blankets.
– Limited showers
– You must participate in the activities (but there are a variety to choose from).