- Project: Summerhouse Lagnö
- Architect: Tham & Videgard
- Location: Sweden, Stockholm
- Year: 2012
- Area: 140 m2
- Photography: Åke E:son Lindman
Nestled within the windswept terrain of the Stockholm archipelago, Summerhouse Lagnö by Tham & Videgård Arkitekter is a masterclass in minimalist design and contextual sensitivity. This summer retreat reimagines traditional Swedish seaside living through a robust architectural language that harmonizes with its granite-strewn setting.
A Site-Responsive Summer Home
Unlike many secluded island projects requiring boat access, this site offers the rare convenience of vehicular entry—enabling the use of heavier construction materials and precise logistics. Responding to the client’s desire for a durable, maintenance-free dwelling, the architects chose in-situ cast concrete, drawing inspiration from the site’s granite bedrock and the enduring character of the Nordic coastline.
This material choice replaces the expected timber cabin with a solid, sculptural form rooted in the rocky terrain, providing both thermal mass and permanence.
Two Volumes, One Seamless Flow
The architectural concept is driven by two parallel, elongated volumes placed along the forest boundary. Entry occurs through a discreet passage between them, leading into a glazed, gable-roofed vestibule that subtly frames the view toward the sea.
From here, the home unfolds into a series of gabled forms, resembling traditional Swedish boathouses. This silhouette not only integrates visually with the coastal vernacular but also generates dynamic interior spaces of varying height and character.
Interior Minimalism with Textural Warmth
Materiality inside the house continues the story of raw elegance. Plywood-textured concrete surfaces transition smoothly from exterior terraces to interior floors, offering tactile consistency. The interiors are composed with a restrained Scandinavian palette: white-painted walls, natural ash wood cabinetry, and sliding partitions that provide privacy without sacrificing the openness of the layout.
A large open-plan living area—bathed in light from floor-to-ceiling glass facing the bay—anchors the main volume, while more intimate rooms are tucked along the northern façade, each benefitting from operable skylights and framed views of the treetops.
A Standalone Sauna by the Water’s Edge
A short path from the main house leads to a freestanding sauna, echoing the architectural form in miniature. Constructed from the same concrete as the main house and finished with warm timber interiors, the sauna sits close to the shoreline, offering immersive views of the water and access to a private pier—a nod to Sweden’s cherished coastal rituals.
Sustainability Through Longevity and Locality
The decision to build with cast concrete not only ensures a long lifespan but reduces the need for chemical treatments or frequent upkeep. Paired with passive solar orientation, natural ventilation, and the use of local materials, Summerhouse Lagnö exemplifies sustainable design through architectural permanence rather than disposability.
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