Retreat, Summer house in Hardanger Fjord, Norway by SAUNDERS ARCHITECTURE AS

Retreat, Summer house, Hardanger Fjord, Norway  (2 of 3- a series of summer houses)

Article source: Todd Saunders, Bergen & Tommie Wilhelmsen, Stavanger

This is our own personal project. We bought this site ourselves in order to create experimental architecture.  The constant question for young architects was how to find clients willing to take a chance on enthusiastic architects with little experience?  When we first started our firm, instead of going and looking for clients we went looking for a possible site to build an experimental structure. In this way we could pursue our architectural vision in line with our convictions: no compromises, original, and respecting the Norwegian landscape that we live in.  Once we made such a project, we knew that it would be easier to find and convince clients that we are competent architects through this use of a real life building as opposed to paper visions of architecture so common among young architects.

Retreat, Summer house

• Architect: SAUNDERS ARCHITECTURE AS
• Name of Project: Retreat, Summer house
• Location: Hardanger Fjord, Norway

Entrance

We found a site about 2 hours drive from Bergen in Hardanger, on the edge of one of Norway’s most dramatic fjords.  We bought this site from the last of our savings. We made a structure that would be a part of the natural surroundings, yet in a sensitive contrast to the dramatic landscape.  We divided this retreat into two parts: one for the function of eating and sleeping and another smaller room that could be used for whatever the user desired.  A long thin floating outdoor floor connects these two parts.  This outdoor floor made the space twice as large in the summer, and connected the two buildings, so that one could walk barefoot from one to the other.  The front of this arrangement faces the fjords, but the inner space towards the mountain creates an evening space that can be complemented by a small fire.

Exterior View

We are building both structures ourselves together with a carpenter.  We are now just finishing the smaller building of the two projects.  In June we will start constructing the second longer structure.   This longer structure will be finished in July. The house is quite environmental in that it is insulated with recycled newspapers and all trees are conserved and integrated into the project.

Side View

Facts about the retreat

Todd Saunders & Tommie Wilhelmsen together with Mats Odin Rustøy (architecture student and carpenter) built the first phase (atelier/writing room) in 2002-2003.  This part is just 15m2.

The second phase will begin in June 2003 and will be completed in August 2003.  This section contains and kitchen and common room plus a bedroom with a shower and toilet.  This structure will be formed so that one can use the roof as a terrace.

Side View

The atmosphere of this project

The project will be used a retreat for friends and ourselves in the next year.  It will be a place where one can disconnect.  The intention is to have minimalist interiors and amount of technology.  Any technology will be supported by natural gas.  We hope to use candles as the natural light source.  The part of Norway only has about 4 hours darkness in the summer month; the time of year this retreat will be used the most.

Exterior View

This is the nearest one is permitted to build to the waterside.  All new architecture has to be at least 100m from the shoreline.  We had to apply for special permission to build 80m from the shore.  The retreat is approximately 80m above sea level, making for a dramatic relationship to the large fjord in front.  On the western side of the site, approximately 30m from the cabin, there are 30m high waterfalls in the Forrest that continues in a dramatic stream.  One crosses this stream on the up the cabin over an old stone foot bridge.

Exterior View

When one sits on the large outdoor floor the views almost are almost hypnotising.  The site has a church-like feeling to it, with the darker forest in the back, but with a large open light that is to front.  The mountains, clouds, and fjord are constantly changing.  These are subtle changes that happen through the run of the day that one can sit and be fascinated with.

Exterior View

Exterior View

Interior View

Bedroom

Side View

Exterior View

Forest View

Tags: Hardanger Fjord, Norway

Categories: House, Residential

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