Kjepsø, Hardanger Fjord, Norway
Saunders Architecture
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
This is our own personal project. We bought this site ourselves in order to create experimental architecture.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
The constant question for young architects was how to find clients willing to take a chance on enthusiastic architects with little experience? When we first started our firm, instead of going and looking for clients we went looking for a possible site to build an experimental structure.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
In this way we could pursue our architectural vision in line with our convictions: no compromises, original, and respecting the
Norwegian landscape that we live in. Once we made such a project, we knew that it would be easier to find and convince clients that we are competent architects through this use of a real life building as opposed to paper visions of architecture so common among young architects.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
We found a site about 2 hours drive from
Bergen in
Hardanger, on the edge of one of Norway’s most dramatic fjords. We bought this site from the last of our savings. We made a structure that would be a part of the natural surroundings, yet in a sensitive contrast to the dramatic landscape. We divided this retreat into two parts: one for the function of eating and sleeping and another smaller room that could be used for whatever the user desired.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
A long thin floating outdoor floor connects these two parts. This outdoor floor made the space twice as large in the summer, and connected the two buildings, so that one could walk barefoot from one to the other. The front of this arrangement faces the fjords, but the inner space towards the mountain creates an evening space that can be complemented by a small fire.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
We are building both structures ourselves together with a carpenter. We are now just finishing the smaller building of the two projects. In June we will start constructing the second longer structure. This longer structure will be finished in July. The house is quite environmental in that it is insulated with recycled newspapers and all trees are conserved and integrated into the project.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
Facts about the retreat:
Todd Saunders & Tommie Wilhelmsen together with Mats Odin Rustøy (architecture student and carpenter) built the first phase (atelier/writing room) in 2002-2003. This part is just 15m2.
The second phase will begin in June 2003 and will be completed in August 2003. This section contains and kitchen and common room plus a bedroom with a shower and toilet. This structure will be formed so that one can use the roof as a terrace.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
The atmosphere of this project:
The project will be used a retreat for friends and ourselves in the next year. It will be a place where one can disconnect. The intention is to have minimalist interiors and amount of technology. Any technology will be supported by natural gas. We hope to use candles as the natural light source. The part of Norway only has about 4 hours darkness in the summer month; the time of year this retreat will be used the most.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
This is the nearest one is permitted to build to the waterside. All new architecture has to be at least 100m from the shoreline. We had to apply for special permission to build 80m from the shore. The retreat is approximately 80m above sea level, making for a dramatic relationship to the large fjord in front. On the western side of the site, approximately 30m from the cabin, there are 30m high waterfalls in the Forest that continues in a dramatic stream. One crosses this stream on the up the cabin over an old stone foot bridge.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg |
When one sits on the large outdoor floor the views almost are almost hypnotising. The site has a church-like feeling to it, with the darker forest in the back, but with a large open light that is to front. The mountains, clouds, and fjord are constantly changing. These are subtle changes that happen through the run of the day that one can sit and be fascinated with.
Description from the Architects:
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| floor plan--drawing © Courtesy of Saunders Architecture |
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| section--drawing © Courtesy of Saunders Architecture |
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| perspective--drawing © Courtesy of Saunders Architecture |
Project Data
Project name: Hardanger Retreat
Location: Kjepsø, Hardanger Fjord, Norway
Program: Log cabin
Project Area: 20 m2
Completion Year: 2003
The people
Architects: Saunders Architecture
Project team: Todd Saunders, Bergen & Tommie Wilhelmsen, Stavanger
