Dezeen Magazine

Nordic's Villa Vatnan is a hilltop house with a view over a Norwegian city

Nordic Office of Architecture has completed a concrete and glass house on the outskirts of Trondheim, Norway, that offers its occupants impressive views.

Villa Vatnan was developed by Oslo-based Nordic Office of Architecture for a steeply sloping site on the edge of a residential area.

Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture

With a concrete base and a glazed upper storey, the property was designed to make the best of the site's awkward topography, offering expansive views over Trondheim while also protecting itself from harsh winds.

Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture

The main living spaces and bedrooms are accommodated in the elongated glass box that forms the upper level. This cantilevers above a solid base, to ensure that rooms are positioned in a good spot to face down over the top of the hill.

Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Photograph by Espen Grønli

"The family desired a home for both everyday life and entertaining, where the primary rooms are all collated on one floor with generous sizes and well-resolved spatial relationships," said the architects.

"By lifting this main floor up to one floor above the natural entrance level, we captured the best of the views and the sun."

Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Photograph by Espen Grønli

The floor-to-ceiling glass contains sliding doors, which connect the internal spaces with a covered terrace that stretches the full width of the house.

A private decked area beyond the terrace contains outdoor lounge seating and a dining space that extends towards the garden. Steps on either side of the building lead down to the street level.

Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture

From the street, the house's gable end is predominantly clad in cedar wood, forming a solid surface that enhances the building's sense of privacy.

Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Photograph by Espen Grønli

The concrete basement level accommodates the garage, along with a laundry, storage space and a bedsit for guests. A wooden entrance door set into the concrete connects with a stairwell illuminated by a window on the first floor.

Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture

At the top of the stairs, a short hall leads towards two bedrooms and a bathroom above the garage. On the other side is the main living space, with a sliding door at the far end opening onto the master bedroom suite.

Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture

A simple material palette applied throughout the house lends the interior a distinctly Scandinavian character.

Exposed concrete walls contrast with natural pine boards that cover the entire floor, with veneered oak used for joinery in the kitchen, living room and terrace.

Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture

High ceilings and the expansive glazed surfaces emphasise the spacious feel of the interior, and the sense of it extending towards the garden and the view beyond.

Photography is by M Herzog unless otherwise stated.

More images and plans

Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
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Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
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Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Photograph by Espen Grønli
Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture
Villa by Nordic Office of Architecture