Cabin Nordmarka / JVA

Architects: Jarmund/Vigsnæs AS Architects MNAL
Location: Nordmarka, Norway
Client: Private
Project Architects: Einar Jarmund, Håkon Vigsnæs, Roar Lund-Johnsen
Textiles: Linda Knoph Vigsnæs
Consultant: Walter Jacobsen
Project Year: 2004
Constructed Area: 120 sqm
Photographs: Nils Petter Dale

Situated in a freshly cut clearing in a deep forest the cabin doesn’t really relate to its present local piece of ground, but rather towards the soft hills and lakes towards the low winter-sun of the southern horizon.

The cabin is lifted from the ground, and except from the opening of the north/south -axis, walls and roof are reckoned as equal covering elements, almost like a hollowed piece of timber.

The cabin is mainly used during wintertime, as a basis for cross-country skiing in the nearby forests.

The plan is gathered around a two storey internal central space which is lit from sides and above and works in a way as a minor urban piazza of the building. The interior spans in scale from the small cave-like children’s beds to the high-ceilinged central room.

The secondary spaces, embracing the centre, work as light-filtration for natural light which is brought into the central space.

According to this we define the house as a “thick house” because the secondary areas can be understood as architectural “insulation” between the outside and the core of the building, both in terms of organization of the plan and the light-filtration.

The building is organized to welcome many visitors at a time. The relation between smaller private spaces and common space within the building has been carefully considered both in terms of scale and views.
For example there are hatches which open from bed-coves into the central space.

Embracing the dining area on the first floor are (clockwise) master bedroom, seating area, kitchen, storage for supplies and ski equipment, hallway, children’s bedrooms, bathroom and master bedroom.
On second floor there are bedrooms, storage and playroom.

The use of materials and colours reflect the traditions of housing in the area: a black stained wooden shell with a light all wooden interior.

The construction is made of timber with 15 cm insulation in the walls, 20 cm in the floor, and 25 cm in the roof.

The timber construction is clad with wooden panels both inside and outside.The roof is covered with wooden panels above a normal membrane.

All fitted furniture and kitchen are designed uniquely by the architect, in general made of plywood of pine.
In general pine and fir are used both for cladding and construction.

Bathroom and hallway floors are covered with lime stone.

The fireplace is made of plastered masonry.