Norwegian architects Snøhetta has been working with local entrepreneur Tom Bjarte Norland and Danish interior brand Vipp to develop a unique experience on the edge of Lysefjorden on the Norwegian west coast.
The Bolder project consists of four cabins lifted over the ground designed to harmonize in the best possible way with the surrounding nature and blur the lines between being indoors and outdoors.
The project, which started in 2020, grew out of the desire to create an experience that is truly special and authentic, where nature plays a major part. The four cabins, named: Stylten, Myra, Stjerna and Eldhuset are located on the edge of Lysefjorden, built to blend in with landscape with a minimal footprint on the surrounding nature. They are lifted above ground on large concrete pillars and have glass facades for guests to appreciate the natural surroundings from inside their private cabin and to bring the outdoors inside.
When stepping inside, guests are left with the illusion of floating in the air on the edge of the cliff with unobstructed views over the fjord and mountains filled with Bonsai-like pine trees and boulders left by the glaciers when the ice age came to an end thousands of years ago.
To draw the serenity of nature inside the cabins, a minimalistic design ethos with furniture in natural and durable materials in earthy colors and organic textures were opted for in the interior design and styling. A thoughtfulness underpins the interior choices and accentuates the meditative flow evoked by the space.
The cabins boast an upper floor with a kitchen and dining area by Vipp and a ground floor with a built-in bed and bathroom. Wood, marble, and leather are recurring materials of choice in the selection of furniture. In contrast, the concrete flooring on the lower level adds a roughness to a sensible décor.
To reflect the nature of the building site, dominated by granite and slow growing pine trees, Snøhetta chose to work with wood and concrete with aggregate from the actual site as the main materials for the project. The trees that had to be taken down during the construction have been set aside to be re-used for other parts of the projects, and the granite that has been cut out of the ground has been used to make the concrete for the construction.
The wood used to build the cabins is untreated red Cedar that will gray with time, to create a natural look and to blend into the rocky landscape. The Oak wood used on the inside is treated differently in the three small cabins, so visitors can have a slightly different experience when coming back.