Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden – Widjedal Racki Bergerhoff Architects
Year Built: 2004
Built Area: 150m2 including sauna area (1,620 sq. ft.)
Photography: Lindman Photography
Set on an unspoiled waterfront site containing a 500 year old oak, mature pines and lots of weathered rocks, the owners wanted a home that blended with the visual environment. The result is this simple, lightweight, low maintenance home where the predominant material is timber.
Large eaves over the verandas offer excellent sun control during the brief summer while extending outdoor living during autumn and spring. A large open fireplace on the south facing veranda enhances overall outdoor comfort.
The archipelago contains some 30,000 islands and inlets, all within 50 kilometres of the city but most are accessible only by water. Many are also inaccessible during winter. Although around 50,000 vacation homes dot the islands and mainland inlets, the sheer volume of available locations ensures a degree of privacy and the ability to commune with the natural environment.
Built for a young family with children, it was designed to take full advantage of the scenic ocean view without becoming a dominating feature on the coastline. Other important considerations were to create a house for leisure with a feeling of comfort and relaxation; a house to socialize in; a house to feel spoiled by; a house that was low maintenance.
“Facing the ocean is a large area for socializing. A floor, a roof and a freely standing core for utilities make up this part of the building. It has an indoor part and an outdoor part, separated only by a sliding glass wall. The sleeping rooms, storage and bathroom are gathered in a more closed structure behind the core. They face a secluded courtyard framed by rock formations and the old oak tree.”
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