Maksymilian Sawicki of INAINN ARCHITECTS studio created the design of the contemporary hytte. H_G30+H_G32 is located in Lingeåsen, Norway on the main Geiranger-Trollstigen tourist route.
Norwegian tradition
Hytte originated from the tradition of building hut-shelters in the harsh northern Norwegian climate. Once used as shelter for fishermen or shepherds, today they provide a break from everyday life, allowing you to spend time close to nature. Due to the small cubic capacity and not very restrictive provisions of local plans regarding this type of development, modern hytte continue the tradition, occupying an important place in the typology of Norwegian architecture.
The buildings are located in the vicinity of the Geiranger-Trollstigen tourist route
© INAINN ARCHITECTS
Cabins connecting the mountains
H_G30+H_G32 is a premise consisting of two cabins. INAINN studio's project begins a series of experimental houses that constitute a larger hotel premise in central Norway. Located in the immediate vicinity of one of the main national tourist routes Geiranger-Trollstigen. The idea behind the project is based on the memories of the last surviving member of the developer's family, who participated in the construction of the landmark establishment. It involved connecting key inter-mountain areas. Today, the spectacular site that is Trollstigen attracts thousands of visitors annually. Situated nearby on a steep slope (148 meters above sea level), the densely forested area opens up to the south toward Storfjorden - the largest fjord in the region.
Broken in one-third of its length, the building continues the curved shape of the slope
© INAINN ARCHITECTS
Two houses merged into one structure
The site's context required the designers to disturb the ground as little as possible and to rationalize the buildings' construction costs. On a larger scale, the buildings complement the fabric of the village development, consisting of farm buildings and small cabins. For this reason, each of them was created from two overlapping smaller modules. This procedure made it possible to break up the mass and reduce the area of the roof, by dividing it into two parts that differ in height. Due to the location of the plots, around which the land extends free of buildings, the two houses form an integral whole, complementing each other in a horizontal layout. The horizontal nature of the premise allows the buildings to harmonize gently with the mountain's terrain and emphasizes the panoramic distant southern view, while remaining barely noticeable from the north.
The site's main circulation route provides a panoramic view
© INAINN ARCHITECTS
Clarity of form and contrast
Drawing on the traditions of Norwegian architecture, the design is based on the additivity and legibility of the forms that make up the entire site. The main axis of the site is an east-west oriented retaining wall. Broken in one-third of its length, it continues the curved shape of the slope. The forms of the two cabins follow the wall, completing the dynamic linear arrangement on the plan. Behind the wall is an additional space used for relaxation (sauna, wine room). The project is also a search for a new functional form involving the abandonment of conventional wall divisions. The higher module has a communicative function, while the lower one is a private and living space. The overlap of the two forms creates technical and utility shafts in the ground floor, and additional leisure space on the first floor. The slight depth of the building and full opening to the south contrasts with the closure on the north side. The main passageway, open on two sides, directs the users' gaze to the surrounding landscape, blurring the division between inside and outside.
The design team consisted of Maksymilan Sawicki, Hanna Sawicka and Wojciech Janicki (renderings).
See also the thesis entitled Between Liquid Substance and Mass by Maksymilan Sawicki.
compiled by {tag:AuthorAiB}
illustrations courtesy of Maksymilian Saw icki
