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Hol, Norway – Jon Danielsen Aarhus MNAL
Built area: 72.0 m2
Year built: 2016
Photographs: Knut Bry
Cabin Ustaoset sits 1,066 meters above sea level and has the most stunning views. One look outside the large glazed window is enough to take your breath away. From the living area, you can see the glacier, a mountain formation, and the lake.
This pine-clad cabin was built by the architect for his family. His aim was to design the cabin around the view, making the view the main theme. At the same time, he wanted the house to comfortably sit well with the surrounding landscape.
Because it sits on rugged, sloping terrain, the house has concrete pillar foundations. Pine-wood cladding on the roof and walls were chosen for its ability to age gracefully. The material also mimic the colors of the surrounding greenery, rocks, and trees.
Cabin Ustaoset is not easily accessible; there are no roads that lead to the house. To build this retreat, transporting the materials was a challenge. During warmer months, a helicopter was used. Come winter time, snow scooters were utilized.
Notes from the Architect:
A cabin for use all year. Situated 1066 meters(3,500 feet) above sea level, mid-way between Oslo and Bergen, at the foot of the mighty Hardangervidda – one of the greatest mountain plateaus in Europe. With no road connection, materials for the build was flown in with helicopter. The ground works were done manually to preserve the slow-growing vegetation one finds at such altitudes in Norway. The foundation consists of pillars standing on the bedrock. The outside of the building had to be finished during the short summer months. The rest was completed mid-winter, when materials for the interior could be transported in with snow scooter. The cabin is clad in pine, inside and out. 3-layer, insulating and solar protected glass panels take in the view of the Ustevann(lake), Hallingskarvet(mountain formation) and Hardangerjøkulen(glacier), all in the same panorama.
With this view in mind; the idea for the main room was to create the experience of being outside – exposed to the shifting scenery. To achieve this, the entire view-facing wall is made of glass. The ceiling is tilted, attempting to “explode” the room even more. The tilted ceiling, in combination with the “open” wall, alludes to the gapahuk, a Norwegian ur-type of improvised shelter used when hiking: two posts with a horizontal log on top, and a layer of branches leaning on it, making a makeshift roof and leaving one side of the structure open.
Above the ceiling mentioned is an attic for storage. The cabin has altogether 13 sleeps, with two separate rooms, a small flexible living room, and lofts. Polycarbonate fillings in the interior doors let light seep through.
An existing cabin of 29 m2 now functions as an annex, and together with the new cabin creates a sheltered outside space.The main entrance is placed toward the dominant wind-direction, to keep it clear of snow which will accumulate on opposite side of the building, so the windows here are placed rather high up on the wall. The blocking wall at the bottom of the west facade, in front of the cabin, prevents sheep from getting in under the building. The eaves are generous to keep frost, falling from the sky at night, away from the windows – which can be a problem with insulating glass at certain temperatures. As no windows open, the eaves also conceal openings for ventilation.
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Exterior Views:
Interior Views:
Drawing Views:
If you want to see more cabins, you should definitely check out Nisser Micro Cabin also in Norway.
