Line Solgaard’s latest cabin project lies on Kjerringholmen, a group of islands in Ytre Hvaler National Park. The clients bought this small private island on which to build a holiday home.
The cabin demonstrates the idea that large houses don’t necessarily mean more quality of life. In just 63 square meters, with smart planning, it still has plenty of usable space.
The construction stands on steel pillars to disturb as little the landscape as possible, taking it as the extension of the indoor space – for example, thanks to a beautiful outdoor area. This approach of “build smaller, build smart”, treating nature with respect, keeping the ecological footprint as small as possible is a natural Norwegian mindset, as we like to spend time in Nature, in the outdoor, to roam.
Building near water means developing a responsible understanding of the environment. The reward is an individual spectacle of nature at different times of the year. The houses appeal to all the senses. And it is the attention to detail that makes them special. The philosophy of working with nature instead of against it.
We asked ourselves this question early on when we won the competition for Stjernehagen in 2021. The project includes 130 residential units and we are now working on a new zoning plan to realize our vision for the neighborhood.
Located a 15-minute walk north of Fredrikstad city center, in an area of detached houses from the 60s and 70s, Stjernehagen will replace the city's old ice hockey arena with a residential area focused on community and sustainability.
The buildings are arranged around three courtyards that are partly open to the public. Different housing sizes create a dynamic and socially diverse environment. All buildings have access from the common areas, promoting spontaneous social interaction and counteracting social isolation. Private gardens or terraces offer additional private outdoor spaces.
The core of the project is to create a healthy community with sustainable neighborhoods, where common areas make it easy and natural to meet.
The quality of an architectural project lies in the construction itself, but also in its relationship with its site.
Oredalstunet is a group of seven generous single-family houses on a plot of land where centuries-old oak trees grow. This remarkable feature of the site was an obvious driving force behind the project, which aimed to preserve the richness of the surrounding nature to embellish the houses.
The proximity of the trees to each house means that people live in their foliage, filtering the sunlight and moving in the breeze. The trees shape the atmosphere of the houses and the whole project has been designed to take advantage of this pre-existing treasure.
We take environmental responsibility seriously, which is why we are "Miljøfyrtårnsertifiserte" (Eco-Lighthouse certified). Through this certification, we are committed to carrying out projects and running our business in a way that protects the environment.
BREEAM-NOR is the international standard for assessing the environmental impact of buildings, and we are proud to be BREEAM-NOR AP approved.
