Y-Shaped Summer Cabin In Norway’s Kvitfjell Ski Resort

Pine louvres cover the glazed sides of this cabin by Oslo studio Lund Hagem Arkitekter, which forks at one end to present two large windows towards slopes in Norway’s Kvitfjell ski resort. Lund Hagem Arkitekter set the cabin on one of the highest buildable plots in the resort, giving it clear views towards the southeast, where the sloping terrain is populated by birch and pine trees.

The design process was inspired by the client’s desire to have ‘a summer cabin in a winter landscape’. While the cabin features glazed walls, batons of timber covering the exterior give the interior a less exposed and cozier feel. The slats, which also protect a linear terrace, have been treated with iron sulphate that will accelerate the greying process of the wood.

The main cabin and the annex were built on stilts, raised from the ground, in order to touch the ground in the lightest manner possible. By placing two volumes close to the neighboring limits, a kind of a courtyard was created. This way, the outdoor spaces could benefit from privacy from the neighbors, while still benefiting from the west/evening sun, during Easter and summer.

Inside, oiled oak boards lining the floor and ceiling contribute to this cozy ambiance, and sections of the walls are panelled in dark painted pine.

The lounge occupies one prong of the Y-shaped plan and is furnished with fleece-covered chairs and a hanging wood-burning stove, while dark wood-panelled walls and light cabinetry gives the kitchen area behind a starker appearance. A metal island hosting the sink and cooking plate stands in the center of the room, while crockery, an oven and cooking utensils are hidden away in a pair of deep wooden cabinets.

A master bedroom and en-suite bathroom occupy the second prong of the plan, while three further bedrooms run along one side of the tail of the Y.