The characteristically barren and hilly terrain was the starting point for our discussion about the location’s potential. The possibilities were the deciding factor and the client bought the plot, 1 km from Kyrkesund’s oldest settlement and 300 metres from the strait’s northern inlet. Two buildings form a pair in a carefully chosen position. The site is high up but not high enough to see the strati from ground level. The terrain the desire for a sea view were the deciding factors for the main building’s with the upper floor adapted in height to afford a view of the strait. A smaller supplementary building forms a visual barrier between the neighbours and defines the site boundary. The space between the buildings is being put to use.
The programme is in two parts: the large house containing the kitchen, living room, bedroom and bath and the smaller one with two bedrooms for guests. The floor planning in the main building is based on the idea of gathering around the fireplace and vista, an almost primitive solution. The brisk flue takes up the centre point of the building with two fireplaces on top of each other. The living room with the top fireplace on one short side and view on the other, kitchen with the bottom fireplace and view in the opposite direction facing south. The window apertures afford a view of unspoiled nature only.
Because of the clients interest in wood, it has been systematically used as construction timber, facade and interior surfaces. Wood has an unbeatable potential for in situation treatment, which the building’s contact with the ground demonstrates. The facade’s lid passes over the base and is carefully sawn just above the hills. The buildings respond to the smallest movement and complete our deliberations about the site.
