This Seaside Atrium Outside Oslo Embraces Nature Inside & Out

Though it’s certainly a niche, “cabins built into a rocky outcropping” is quickly becoming a favorite design category around the TF office. And this modest Norwegian example may just take the cake for best execution in literally integrating the surrounding landscape into the structure.

Located some 120 km south of Olso and designed by Lund Hagem architecture and urban design studio, the airy annex is a striking example of what happens when you allow a site’s unique natural characteristics to inform the end design, rather than ignoring it—or worse yet, erasing it.

Wedged between dense vegetation and large rocks, and sized to just 30-square-meters, the atrium-like building seemingly outlives its small footprint by stretching over four levels of living space, including a mezzanine designed to sleep two and a rooftop terrace offering access to panoramic views with steps carved directly into the concrete that stretch to the ground.

To further communicate with the rocky landscape, similarly hued reinforced concrete was used as the primary material of both the roof and floor—the smooth roof defines the structure while the light floor extends from the interior out to a fire pit area to draw the outdoors in. Solid, rough hewn oak walls and a ceiling of woven oak strips add texture to the glass dominated shelter.

For such a small structure, the attention to detail and level of expert design execution is nothing short of inspiring. If a building can teach, then let this cabin remind us to always welcome our natural environments with open arms. For we are stronger together than apart.