Summer house at Kirkeøy

CK_perspectiveIn an established summer housing area, the summer house occupies a gently sloping site. Surrounded by pine trees and a heather field with rocks, the landscape flows through the house. In the east /west direction the summer house shelters from external views and the low sunlight. It balances on the edge of a small cliff, with rich vegetation growing up from the cove underneath.

CK_area plan redThe composition of the house is fragmented, with several volumes of various sizes creating the bathroom, bedrooms and living area. The biggest volume contains the living area and kitchen, and the landscape opens up through the space to connect the inside with the outside. The different volumes create space for sheltered privatized outdoor activities, such as a shower and a suspended sleeping net.

CK_plan shThe slightly tilted roofs are designed to bring as much light as possible to the outdoor areas closest to the building, and also to be usable surfaces to reach up in the cooler air. The materials used is basically all of wooden origin, untreated, even the roof cladding, to minimize the environmental impact.

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Villa conversion at Prestelandet

VCP movementThe semi detached house from the late 50s, with a combined concrete and wooden construction, has a split level layout that opens the house up visibly between the dining and living areas. The vertical movement in the void between the levels create the necessary distance to achieve an open and airy feel. The existing materials are a mix that at times contradict and blur the spatial clarity of the split-level solution, and thereby interfere with the spatial experience.

VCP materialsThe main ambition is to retain as many of the qualities of the original building as possible. The window solutions, door nobs, carpentry interiors are all characteristic for the period, and are kept and restored. The windows are also restored, but given new glass with better energy performance within the existing frames. The only two major renovations of the house are the kitchen and the bathroom – both given a contemporary esthetics and a more functional layout in tune with the clients needs.

The vertical movement is articulated by the floor surfaces and carpentry detailing. The surfaces are redefined – the void is articulated and opened up to include movement to the basement. The floor surface materials indicate the public movement through the house, with clear changes in material to the private zones of the house on both floors.

VCP area plan red2The movement into and through the house on the ground floor is articulated stronger and brighter, connecting the entrance with a patio at the garden side of the house. The garden is redone with a new garden gate / shed as the backdrop. The asymmetric path to the garden entrance shifts the direction of the garden, dividing it in an apple orchard and lawn for play and games.

Summer house extension at Høysand

CCH birdseye 2The summer house bridges the landscape on a hillside, overlooking the water and the surrounding archipelago at Høysand in Skjeberg, Østfold. The original summer house has gradually been extended with terraces and a new adjacent annex to form a complex composition.

CCH sectionBy binding the annex and the main house together with a transparent roof, the bedrooms are tied together with the living areas through a sheltered semi-climatized passage. By enlarging the annex with one more bedroom, and removing the bedroom from the main house, the living areas are enlarged, and a more functional overall layout is achieved.

CCH birdseye 1The small changes bring seasonally independent functionality, while the design keep the original elements of the composition intact. Added elements like canopies and windscreens are given a uniform design in contrast to the closed main building and annex.

Summer house conversion at Kråkerøy

CK_southwestAn existing summer house, consisting of two equally large parts (nicknamed «the old hut» and «the new hut»), need only slight transformation to enhance its functionality and spatial experience.

CK_plan sh2Originally the two parts are linked only by an outdoor connection over the terrace, the entrance is cramped, and there are no proper sanitary facilities in the summer house. The connections between inside and outside is limited to small double doors towards the terrace.

CK_birdseye 2As sanitary services have been supplied for this summer housing area, a new bathroom is installed as a warm core of «the new hut». Access between bedrooms and the living areas is through a new internal passage, which enhance seasonal usability. Two new spacious bedrooms also comes as a consequence of the changed layout and added bathroom.

CK_northeastNew main entrance to «the old hut» is placed directly from the entrance terrace, and a more generous opening towards the afternoon terrace makes free flowing movement through the summer house and around its core.

Motto Aqua

AQUA1_1024AQUA2_1024In collaboration with Sigridur Anna Eggertsdottir I participated in an open design competition arranged by the Iceland Design Center and jewelry designer Hendrikka Waage, our approach was to create asymmetry and capture the feeling of water…

The proposal came in third of just about 120 entries. The bracelet design was considered the competitions best, suitable also as a concept for a ring design. Our presentation was given great acclaim; obviously the jury liked it a lot.

Present at the seremony in Reykjavik were jury members Steinunn Sigurðardóttir, Icelands greatest fashion designer and Reykjavik City Artist of the year 2009, and Geoffroy Medinger,UK Brand director for Van Cleef & Arpels

Krissi from Krads received the prize on behalf of us.

See also extensive coverage from the prize seremony on icelandic TV here (in icelandic).

Motto 09975 Jellinge

J_perspective1In Jelling the Danish history is visible layer by layer of continuous activity, all the way back to the earliest of days – some layers still intact while others transformed, reused or moved and others still completely removed. In the community planning these elements are looked upon as references and for inspiration – Jellinge is a place of dynamic development and not the status quo.

J_plansThe rocks are in fact just blocks of granite – its the carved signs on them that give the symbolic value far greater than the mere impression of them. They occupy both a greater physical and metaphysical space – their stories of the place, the people and the land. The aura of the rocks is charged with symbols that will bring wonder and enthusiasm to generations to come – it would be unique and bind together the history with the present and point towards the future. The aura, with its artistic expression, places a new layer on top of the already existing ones and hint towards the past use of colour to enhance the stones´ message. It plays with the changing light of the different seasons.

J_perspective2-2The smallest rock, which is not in its original position, is in great danger of deteriorating. The archeological advice is therefore to bring it inside a climatized building to prevent further deterioration. The bigger rock, in better condition, is placed under a glass canopy, naturally ventilated but weather protected. These are the simplest measures to provide the necessary protection while still keep the integrity of the monument site.

J_sectionsAll sides of the stone areclearly visible, and you can get in close to see the detail. The climatized screen protects against contact and vandalism. The screen is open and naturally ventilated so that there will be no condensation problems. Rainwater is handled through the construction foundation ring that runs along the glass canopy sides. The entire screen is produced off-site and lifted in place in one move, thus removing danger from operation processes on site close to the stones.

J_perspective3Throughout the development of the concept the main focus has been to reduce the CO2-emissions as much as possible. From critically evaluating the actual needs, through form- and construction optimalization, material / reuseability / lifecycle evaluations and product optimalization to energy supply and efficient lighting, the goal has been continuous monitoring and reducing the CO2 footprint. As the diagram shows, a significant reduction can be reached by making the right choices.

J_CO2footprint2