Bark Architects, AS

Selestranda House

Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland

SELESTRANDA HOUSE

Bark Arkitekter

ARCHITECTS
Bark Arkitekter

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Katrine Grimnes

COLLABORATO
Jens Gerlach Sørensen AS

MANUFACTURERS
E.W. Andersen, Hamran Kjøkken, Minera Skifer, Riska Sagbruk, Vikeså Trevare

PHOTOGRAPHS
Lise Bjelland

AREA
88.0 m2

 YEAR
2016

LOCATION
Time, Norway

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

At Sele, on the southwest coast of Norway, a fifty-year-old cottage by architect Atle Sørby needed a total renovation and reorganisation.

It was essential to recreate the cabin with a modernized standard, and balancing this need with a respectful approach towards the original architecture.

Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland
Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland

Built in ’61, the architecture contains a symbiosis of elements referencing modernist and local architecture.

The main volume’s pitched roof with pulled down gables is a reinterpretation of the traditional «Jærhus», a housing typology typical for the region, adapted through centuries to withstand harsh local weather conditions.

Two volumes make up the cottage. The new annex contains a bedroom, a bathroom and a storage room while the main volume now only consist of one large common room, with a shared kitchen, eating and living area.

Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland
Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland
Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland

The surrounding landscape is relatively flat, consisting of long sloping fields, dunes and beaches, only separated by narrow roads and old drystone walls.

Because it is situated in a landscape-preservation area, close to the shoreline, the local government paid close attention to the building process.

Local craftsmen carried out every part of the operation, which required substantial tailored solutions.

Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland
Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland

The roof tiles, coming from local brick-factories in Sandnes, were carefully taken down, stored and put up again, one by one.

In the common room, the walls and ceiling has been taken down, creating and an open, airy space.

Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland
Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland

Standing there, gazing through the ribbon window, one has panoramic view across the moody North-Sea horizon.


Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland
Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland
Selestranda House
© Lise Bjelland


Selestranda House
Floor Plan

Bark Architects, AS
T +47 51 567830
Bark Architects, AS
Avaldsnesgata 95C, 4014 Stavanger, Norway