Dezeen Magazine

Åre Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

Slideshow: Swedish architects Waldemarson Berglund were inspired by the slopes of a nearby ski resort to create these three slanted timber cabins in north Sweden.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

Although they look like they’ve been tipped upwards by accident, the three Åre Solbringen residences were actually designed to follow the slopes of their hillside site and have level floors inside.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

Only the perpendicular windows that intermittently puncture the wooden facade give any indication that the buildings are intentionally sloped.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

Staircases spanning the length of each building link the five tiered floors inside, connecting bedrooms, a bathroom and a sauna on the upper storeys with a kitchen, living room and outdoor terrace on the levels below.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

Last year another wooden house designed by Waldemarson Berglund was one of our most popular stories - see it here.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

Photography is by Åke E:son Lindman.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

The following text is from the architects:


Åre Solbringen

3 houses on Åreskutan’s southern slope. Partly, the houses’ shape is a consequence of the urban regulations. Partly, the form is also the consequence of a discussion on the site.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

The commission was to divide the plot into three equal ones where houses for recreational use would be built.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

The property is located just outside Åre’s centre, in Åreskutan south-facing slope, overlooking the river and the mountains.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

Building designs in Åre are often half buried houses in 1 ½ plans with a sloping roof and big gables facing the views down the mountain, resulting in houses with only one really profitable floor.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

The half-buried level is partly windowless, and the upper level is limited by its low, sloping ceilings.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

According to the local regulations the plot could only be divided in the direction of the slope, with a minimum size of 800 m2, maximum built area of 120 m2, minimum distance to the neighbouring property 4,5 m and maximum height of 5,2 m.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

Being the slope one of the conditions for skiing it was tempting to let the buildings doing so. Or at least to let them give that impression.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

So we decided to make a building which would lay over the ground without disturbing the mountain, where all the rooms would have a generous height and windows with views.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

A connection axis extents along the building’s long side, divided in four generously sized sets of stairs. This space allows a view of the whole house from the entrance to the opposite end.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

Height difference between the highest and lowest points is 31 stairs, as in any other 1 ½ storey house with two stair cases.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

The difference, though, is that this house has 5 individual levels. The upper levels house the hall, two bedrooms, bathroom and sauna, and the two bottom levels the kitchen and the living room, with a terrace facing south.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

The house is completely built in a wooden frame system. Due to the limited width of the house it was possible to use standard pieces everywhere but in the floor slabs, built in glued laminated timber.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

The wooden construction rests over brick slabs located across the longitudinal axis of the houses. A wide vent runs along this axis, allowing the eaves to meet the ground cleanly and ”tightly”. Wooden panels are the facade's material, which will darken and turn greyish as they age.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

The wooden windows and doors have a painted steel exterior framing and the roof is built in painted, folded metal sheets. The floors are in massive oak, whilst walls and ceilings are finished in white plasterboard.

Are Solbringen by Waldemarson Berglund

Project: Åre Solbringen
2006-2012
Björnänge, Åre, Sweden
Architect: Waldemarson Berglund Arkitekter AB, Stockholm. Jonas Waldemarson, Paulina Berglund, Hanna Kucera Wengelin