wooden architecture Archives

MNY Arkitekter completes “down-to-earth” house for two sisters in Finland

Finnish studio MNY Arkitekter has completed Two Sisters, a timber holiday home in Salo that is designed to allow two siblings to live “together separately”.

To create a dedicated space for each of the two sisters, MNY Arkitekter divided the home into two standalone units joined by a central terrace overlooking the surrounding rocks and pine trees on Finland’s west coast.

Timber exterior of Two Sisters holiday home in Finland — The two units are joined by a central terrace

“In many ways the site is one of typical Finnish inner archipelago terrain and vegetation, and one of the main goals was to preserve as many trees and visible rocks as possible,” MNY Arkitekter founder Mathias Nyström told Dezeen.

“Equality of the views from the two units was also important and had a significant impact on the layout.”

Living area within Two Sisters in Finland — Each unit has large windows. Photo by Mathias Nyström

The home’s two units “fan out” to provide privacy and avoid the surrounding trees, while making space for an existing sauna, utility room and overnight shelter on the site.

Each block features large windows at its western end, looking towards the sea and pine trees to the west. Openings facing the central terrace have been placed to minimise overlooking.

Kitchen interior of holiday home by MNY Arkitekter — Black kitchen counters feature in each living space

“Being in one of the units you can only see the other from certain points, otherwise you mostly sense the existence of the other part,” said Nyström.

“You are on your own, but feel part of a bigger entity,” he added.

Each living space at Two Sisters has been finished with black kitchen counters, a dining table and a large freestanding fireplace. Built-in bench seating provides space to sit and look out over the landscape.

In the northern block, a bed is housed in a small nook off this living space backed by a full-height window, while to the south the slightly larger unit provides a double bedroom and two single bedrooms alongside the living space.

Bedroom interior within timber holiday home in Finland by MNY Arkitekter — A small bed is backed by a full-height window in the larger unit

Two Sisters has a prefabricated structure of glue-laminated timber, finished externally with vertical planks of spruce. Internally, pale timber walls, floors and ceilings are treated with lye.

“The aim for the atmosphere was to create a uniform, serene space where nature plays a big part – the end result is very uplifting,” said Nyström.

“The weathered silver-grey wood will fuse the building in the landscape with rocks and pines. All in all it is a down to earth and subtle building,” he added.

Living space interior within Two Sisters holiday home — The home is constructed from glued-laminated timber

Elsewhere in Finland, MNY Arkitekter created a home on the shoreline of a small lake in Tenala using seven different varieties of timber.

Other recent projects in the country include a sauna and restaurant on the edge of Lake Saimaa by Studio Puisto and the steel-clad Dance House by JKMM and ILO architects in Helsinki.

The photography is by Multifoto Ab unless otherwise stated.

Reference

Architecture

Overhanging roof shelters Markolfhalle Markelfingen by Steimle Architekten

By Zarkon Group,01/04/2024

Local spruce wood is used throughout Markolfhalle Markelfingen, a multipurpose hall that architecture studio Steimle Architekten has added to the edge of a lake in Germany.

Located on the northern shore of Lake Constance in the Radolfzell district, the timber building contains sports courts and a stage for events, unified by a cantilevered roof overhead.

Markolfhalle Markelfingen multipurpose timber hall by Steimle Architekten — The Markolfhalle Markelfingen hall is embedded into the sloping landscape

Due to the natural slope of the site, Steimle Architekten embedded the Markolfhalle Markelfingen hall into the landscape, with a stepped plinth on one side that offers access to the upper level from the outside.

The two-storey building is crafted from spruce sourced locally from forests in the region, nodding to traditional buildings nearby that are made from the same wood.

Multipurpose timber hall in Germany by Steimle Architekten — The building is largely made from spruce wood

“The Lake Constance region is characterised by its rural structures,” studio architect Michaela Afife told Dezeen.

“Wood has always been a traditional building material in this region too. With its tranquil appearance, timber construction blends in with the traditional settlement landscape around Lake Constance,” she continued.

Rhythmic timber facade of a multipurpose hall — Vertical timber battens sit between the building’s columns

Externally, rhythmic timber columns animate each elevation, infilled by tightly arranged vertical timber battens.

“The consistently homogeneous outer shell with its vertical timber louvre structure gives the building a uniform appearance on all four sides,” said Afife.

Multipurpose timber hall in Germany — An overhanging roof crowns the hall

Inside, Markolfhalle Markelfingen holds a large double-height sports hall with two courts that can be separated by a netted divider.

Around the edges of the main space, the studio incorporated additional facilities including a raised stage, which is recessed into the timber-panelled wall.

Wooden panels line the bottom half of the walls inside, helping to conceal doors that open onto an outdoor playing field.

Slim windows are arranged at regular intervals around the top half of the walls to illuminate the space, while the ceiling has an exposed gridded timber structure.

Timber sports hall in Germany — Markolfhalle Markelfingen contains two sports courts

“The powerful and contemporary timber construction of the multi-purpose hall is the centre of cultural community life for citizens, clubs and schools,” said Steimle Architekten.

“As a multifunctional building, the hall with its one and a half sports fields and adjoining stage area fulfils the requirements of both sports use and an attractively designed event hall.”

Performance stage in the timber-lined Markolfhalle Markelfingen hall by Steimle Architekten — A stage is recessed into the timber wall

On the upper level is the entrance foyer, accessed through four glazed doors and offering views of the multipurpose hall below.

Most of the foyer level is left open, excluding a green-painted kiosk that holds a reception area.

Interior of the Markolfhalle Markelfingen multipurpose hall by Steimle Architekten — The entrance foyer overlooks the hall below

Other spaces in Markolfhalle Markelfingen include changing rooms, toilets, storage rooms and a kitchen for venue catering, all of which sit under the first-floor foyer.

Steimle Architekten is a German architecture studio founded by Thomas and Christine Steimle. Its previous projects include a library built within an existing traditional barn and a crystal-like house made from board-marked concrete.

The photography is by Brigida González.

Reference

Architecture

Feste designs Agder Day-Trip Cabins for 25 locations in southern Norway

By Zarkon Group,06/12/2023

Norwegian studio Feste Landscape/Architecture has unveiled a series of wooden cabins that can be freely used by hikers exploring the mountainous coastal landscape of Norway’s Agder region.

The Agder Day-Trip Cabins are being installed in each of the 25 municipalities in Agder to encourage both locals and tourists to spend more time in nature.

Agder Day-Trip Cabins in rural southern Norway by Feste — The Agder Day-Trip Cabins are being installed in 25 locations

The first 20 are now in place, with the following five set to be installed by the end of 2024.

The identical 28-square-metre structures were designed by Feste to offer a rest stop where people can enjoy the beauty of their surroundings in warmth and comfort.

Night view of Agder Day-Trip Cabin overlooking a fjord — The cabins are free to use and open 24/7

Each one is free to use and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The project is funded through a partnership between the municipalities, Agder County Council and Sparebankstiftelsen SR-Bank, in the interest of public health and well-being.

“The ambition of the project is to inspire attractive local hikes and nature experiences in the surrounding area, with the aim of boosting public health for locals and tourists,” explained David Fjågesund, architect at Feste.

Agder Day-Trip Cabin in rural southern Norway by Feste — All 25 cabins have an identical design

Fjågesund and colleague Sigurd Aanby led the Agder cabins project, supported by landscape architect Tone Telnes.

The challenge was to design an attractive and functional cabin that could be installed in any location, regardless of the landscape conditions.

Aerial view of Agder Day-Trip Cabins in rural southern Norway by Feste — The cabins were prefabricated and air-lifted to the site by helicopter

This prompted the architects to opt for a modular design that could be prefabricated off-site and then air-lifted into place by helicopter.

“This prevents the use of heavy vehicles and machinery that can cause damage to the surroundings,” Fjågesund said.

They also drew up guidelines for how the foundations of the structure should meet the ground, to minimise the impact on the rural terrain.

View through cabin window — The pointed roof shape references the history and geography of Agder

For the cabin’s shape, Fjågesund and Aanby looked to both the history and geography of Agder, or Agðir, as it was called in the old Norse language.

“The name is thought to be a derivation from the word ‘ǫgd’, meaning ‘to be sharp’, or ‘the land which extends out into the sea’,” said Fjågesund.

“When the shape of the county is studied from an aerial perspective, it can be seen as the spearhead of Norway,” he continued.

“The northern Setesdal valley is perceived as rather inaccessible, whereas the southern part of the county opens itself to the sea and the views towards the west, south and east.”

Woode-burning stove and children's book library — A heat-burning stove and children’s book library can be found inside

The architects translated this into a structure with a pointed, diamond-shaped roof, an open front and a closed back.

A recess in the facade offers a sheltered outdoor seating opportunity, while a solar panel on the roof provides electricity for lighting and for charging electronic devices.

Cabin benches — Tiered benches provide seating for up to 15 people

Inside, the timber-lined cabins contain benches in various heights, with room for up to 15 people.

A wood-burning stove provides heat, while a series of shelves form a mini library of children’s books.

“At plots where the terrain allows for it, universal access has been implemented,” added Fjågesund. “Ample free floorspace in the communal room allows for wheelchair access.”

Night view of Agder Day-Trip Cabin in rural southern Norway by Feste — The first 20 cabins have been installed, with five more due in 2024

The Agder cabins are among several recent projects that promote tourism in rural Norway.

Others include a treetop walkway designed by EFFEKT, the Snøhetta-designed Bolder Star Lodges and a former factory converted into a hotel, Trevarefabrikken, by Jonathan Tuckey Design.

The photography is by Even Lundefaret.

Project credits:

Architecture and landscape: Feste Landscape/Architecture
Structural engineer: Pål Berglund, AL Høyer Skien
Building physics: Preben Brekke Rotwitt, Asplan Viak
Contractor: HL Bygg

Reference

wooden architecture

MNY Arkitekter completes “down-to-earth” house for two sisters in Finland

Overhanging roof shelters Markolfhalle Markelfingen by Steimle Architekten

Feste designs Agder Day-Trip Cabins for 25 locations in southern Norway

Get in touch

about us

Company info

Useful Links

Newsletter