House on Pillars

House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm

House on Pillars 

Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects

PHOTOGRAPHS
Thomas Ekstrøm

AREA
114 m²

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Norway

CATEGORY
Houses

Built for a young couple and their two dogs, House on Pillars had a simple and open brief; a good and sustainable house on a low budget.

House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm
House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects

The long, narrow house is carefully lodged between existing rocks and trees. The house is raised on wooden pillars, keeping the existing landscape intact.

The natural topography of the site creates a series of outdoor spaces and outlooks into the rock bed and treetops.

The site is natural and lush, with rocks and a forest clearing preserved as the main outdoor space.

House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm
House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm

In order to create good outdoor spaces, the building was then constructed on the least usable and buildable part of the plot.

To preserve the topography the house is constructed on pillars.

The site was 3D scanned, and the point cloud served as a basis for both digital and physical models for optimal adaptation to the landscape.

House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm
House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm
House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm

The distinct load-bearing structure is visible in the exterior and interior while it elevates the building from the landscape.

The plan is generated from this constructional rhythm, with a core for bedrooms and a bathroom and circulation along the facades. The spaces are separated by sliding doors.

Whilst open, they create sight lines across the length of the house, creating an open, free-flowing movement.

House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm
House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects
House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm

The open plan and the contact with its surroundings generate a feeling of a house bigger than it is, while sliding doors create more private spheres when needed.

An open space with a considerable amount of daylight is located in the center of the house with a glass roof and big windows towards the fjord and the garden.

The wooden construction is visible in the interior as well as the exterior of the house. Large wooden beams are left exposed.

House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm
House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm
House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects

Walls and floors are covered in pine, with recycled brick floors in the winter garden and the sunken living room. The roof is clad with corrugated metal sheets, with overhanging eaves.


House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects
House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects
House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects
House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects
House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm
House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects


House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm
House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects
House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm
House on Pillars
© Thomas Ekstrøm
House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects
House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects


House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects
House on Pillars
Courtesy of Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects


House on Pillars
House on Pillars
House on Pillars
House on Pillars