A creative Norvegian family consisting of an interior architect, an artists, and their two children approached the Lund Hagem architects office with the idea of redesigning their holiday home. Their cabin was set on a remote land of several rocky, small islands, exposed to harsh wind yet boasting a beautiful panorama. The surrounding islands are all small, but vary in height to a great extent. Most of them can be approached only by boat, like in the case of the island in question, or by small hand-built bridges above the narrow passageways, which’s presence insures that the area is inhabitable.



After seeing the original and facing the difficulties and disadvantages posed by the spot, client and architect agreed to relocate the house and erect a completely new structure. Instead of occupying the highest point of the site, they moved the Lille Arøya Cabin to just 5 m from the water edge. With this step, they made use of a low rock area that was only collecting debris before, while it also created a more of a sheltered ambiance the family wished for.



Adherence to the given geographical topography and utilisation of nonfunctional spots was crucial for the whole architectural process. Undulating floor levels follow rock formations, and provide circulation for the outside. To follow the island’s structure, the building consists of two volumes: a lower one housing the bedrooms and bathrooms, and the higher including the kitchen, dining, and living areas.



The choice of materials was also determined by the location: while wood was the preferred, steel also had to be included in order to provide maximum stability. Raw steel beams are drilled straight into the rocks holding the structure together. Rough sawn ore pine was used for cladding both the interior and the exterior, bringing in warmth and an organic approach. To keep the facade fitting in with the surroundings, the pine structure facing the water was painted black. This leads to an interesting contrast with the warmth of the inner facade, while also keeps the building in harmony with the rocky setting.









Source: Archdaily