- Project: House on an Island
- Architect: Atelier Oslo
- Location: Norway
- Year: 2021
- Area: 70 m2
- Photography: Ivar Kvaal, Nils Vik/D2, Charlotte Thiis-Evensen
House on an Island by Atelier Oslo is a compact yet poetic residence designed for two artists on the rocky south coast of Norway. With just 70 square meters, the home integrates seamlessly with the rugged terrain, blending indoor and outdoor life through concrete floors, prefabricated timber, and a delicately crafted wood structure. The result is a contemplative retreat where nature, light, and architecture exist in harmony.
Project Overview
The island site is characterized by smooth, curved rocks descending into the sea. Instead of imposing on this topography, the architects carefully measured and adapted the design to embed the house within it.
The house unfolds in layers:
-
Concrete floors poured to match natural rock levels.
-
Prefabricated timber structure set atop the concrete, providing shelter and flexibility.
-
Light wood screen enveloping the house, filtering light and framing views.
This sequencing of construction not only minimized site disturbance but also created an architectural narrative that ties directly to the experience of moving across the rocky landscape.
Integration with Topography
Concrete floors step with the terrain, becoming both interior surfaces and outdoor terraces. They blur the line between architecture and geology, so that walking through the home feels like walking over the island itself.
Functional elements—fireplace, kitchen, and bathroom—grow out of the concrete as sculptural fixtures, reinforcing the sense that the house is carved from its setting rather than placed upon it.
Timber Structure & Play of Light
Above the concrete base, a timber framework organizes the house. Finally, a lightweight wood screen with depth encases the home, filtering natural light and casting shifting shadows through the day.
This layered approach creates a soft, contemplative atmosphere:
-
Shadows mimic tree canopies, evoking the feeling of sitting under foliage.
-
Filtered views frame the sea and surrounding rocks, alternating between openness and intimacy.
-
Prefabrication allowed the structure to be quickly assembled with minimal disruption to the sensitive site.
Annex & Privacy
A small prefabricated annex was added to shield the home from a neighboring building, while also forming a private courtyard. This gesture provides both protection and an additional outdoor living zone.
The annex is modest in scale but key to the project’s privacy strategy, ensuring the home remains a retreat for contemplation and work.
Materiality & Low Maintenance
Material choices reflect both durability and environmental sensitivity:
-
Kebony wood clads all exterior elements. Heat-treated for longevity, Kebony naturally weathers to a silvery grey, eliminating the need for regular maintenance.
-
Concrete grounds the home into the site while acting as thermal mass.
-
Timber softens the structure, adding warmth and tactility to interiors.
This restrained palette underscores the architects’ commitment to simplicity, honesty, and integration with nature.
Experience & Atmosphere
The entrance is designed as a journey. Approaching from the back of the island, a stair cuts through the building, guiding visitors to the sea-facing side and framing the transition from land to contemplative retreat.
Inside, light, shadows, and views create ever-changing atmospheres. Spaces are minimal yet rich in sensory experience, allowing residents to focus on creativity, relaxation, and the beauty of the natural surroundings.
House on an Island by Atelier Oslo demonstrates how modest scale can yield profound architecture. By embedding the house into the rocks, layering concrete, timber, and wood screen, and embracing Kebony for low-maintenance durability, the architects created a sculptural cabin that is both poetic and pragmatic.
For the two artists who call it home, the house is not only a shelter but an instrument for contemplation — a retreat where architecture amplifies the timeless dialogue between humans and nature.
