Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors

Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Exterior Photography
© Kalle Sanner

Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Exterior PhotographyVilla Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Exterior PhotographyVilla Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Interior PhotographyVilla Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Interior Photography, KitchenVilla Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - More Images+ 20

Gothenburg, Sweden
More SpecsLess Specs
Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Exterior Photography
© Kalle Sanner

Text description provided by the architects. On a southwest-facing slope by the sea stands Villa Timmerman, a semi-detached house designed by the married architect couple Andreas Lyckefors and Josefine Wikholm. 

Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Kalle Sanner
Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Exterior Photography
© Kalle Sanner

Askim, in the south of Gothenburg, is a popular residential suburb that has been gradually densified since the 1960s and is today almost completely developed. Here, the architects bought a plot of land for residential use and then built a semi-detached house under their own auspices, where the other part of the house partially financed the project.

Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Interior Photography
© Kalle Sanner

Situation. Andreas: It was a challenge to create a semi-detached house with equal qualities on both ends as they naturally face different directions. We had to study the local conditions carefully and take into account weather conditions, views, sun, evening sun, contact with the street and neighbors. In the end, the house could be arranged so that both parts of the house get morning-, noon- and evening sun. There is always sun on one terrace or balcony during the bright part of the day. 

Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Exterior Photography
© Kalle Sanner

Another challenge was to create qualities on all floors as the house is placed on a slope. The flow of light through the structure helped sculpt the plan and placement openings. The stairs at the back of the house, with large windows and glass roofs, allow a good amount of light deep into the ground floor and balance the large glass sections on the mezzanine level. The result is that light comes from three directions also at ground level. Ceiling lights and double ceiling height help to create a home where the light flows even on cloudy days. 

Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Interior Photography, Stairs
© Kalle Sanner
Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Countertop
© Kalle Sanner

By working with these qualities, the two houses can thus be experienced as independent parts, in a close relationship with the landscape and with flowing light and open spaces, rather than as a semi-detached house on a hillside plot. 

Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Interior Photography, Kitchen
© Kalle Sanner

Organization. We wanted the house to be able to grow with the family and function well during all stages of life. With proximity to the children during the toddler years, more private for the teenage family and with a home office or a lodger for the family with adult children. By breaking up the conventional function-separated room plan, the floor plan can be given consistent qualities. The social room runs throughout the house, bedrooms and toilets are placed on all floors. The small children can sleep close to their parents while older children, teenagers, or guests can live on their own floor with a toilet and their own living room. 

Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Image 22 of 25
First floor plan

Material. The house is built entirely of wood, with a pre-fabricated frame that was mounted on site. The dark wooden facade has been treated with wood tar, in a mixture of black and brown pigment. The origin of the specific shade was a desire for a warmer black color that was rich in pigment and that could be experienced differently in different lights. 

Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Interior Photography
© Kalle Sanner

On the outside of the wood, cladding is three grids of diagonal and vertical ribs. The grid was an experiment that proved to work well as extra protection against solar radiation on the façade and as a protective layer against the drifting rain on the west coast. 

Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Kalle Sanner

The roof is a combination of tarred wood panel and solar cells. Here, the solar panels have been seamlessly integrated into the wooden roof, thanks to a carefully studied detail. The large internal staircase is built of ash wood with veneer on the walls cross-laminated steps, carriage, intermediate landing and railing. The levels in the stairs form small spaces and also function as site-built sofas. 

Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors - Exterior Photography
© Kalle Sanner

Project gallery

See allShow less
About this office
Cite: "Villa Timmerman / Bornstein Lyckefors" 23 Jan 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/975607/villa-timmerman-bornstein-lyckefors> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.