Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

A Cedar-Clad Cabin With a Glass “Sunroof” Rises on a Hillside in Norway

A Cedar-Clad Cabin With a Glass “Sunroof” Rises on a Hillside in Norway

Along the Nordic nation’s southeast coast, Line Solgaard Arkitekter creates a magical family getaway that stands in symbiosis with its surroundings.

In Norway, cabin life is a guiding pleasure principle-many Norwegians own or have access to remote hyttes that serve as back-to-nature retreats. When architect Line Solgaard, founder of the eponymous Oslo- and Fredrikstad-based firm, started planning a getaway for her family in the place where she grew up, the design quickly became a group affair.



"The whole family came up with their wishes for this place, and we had a lot of interesting discussions," Line says. "We all agreed about using natural, lasting materials that age with grace."

Weekend House Fredrikstad is located about 600 feet from the sea on a rocky slope carpeted with pine and oak trees-most of which were preserved during the home’s construction. The cabin only occupies the northeastern section of the site, which leaves a large portion of the waterfront area for outdoor living spaces, which are designed to fit organically into the existing terrain.



The home’s concrete base was cast in place, and it has a hue similar to that of the mountain itself. It’s designed to age with a patina that will help it further blend into the environment. Untreated, exposed concrete pairs with cedar cladding, custom, oak-paneled ceilings, and a glass roof in the center of the home that opens like a sunroof for natural ventilation.



The cabin’s profile slopes on one side to create an ever-changing play of shadows on the ceiling and roof throughout the day. The ceiling remains free of lighting and other technical installations, allowing it to frame the room with its beautiful shape and put the focus on the views outside.



Zoning different areas of the home with unique qualities ensured the relatively small house "always has some spaces that are buzzy, and some spaces that are quiet," says the architect.

The family enjoys cooking, and they wanted the kitchen to stand in a separate space from the living room to keep the latter zone free from the noise and smells of food preparation. During the summertime, Line says, the family enjoys swimming in the sea and hiking in the surrounding mountains. When the mercury rises, the home’s base and sunroof pair to keep the air inside cool and buoyant.



Come winter, blown wood-fiber insulation (made of spruce chips from Norwegian timber) spread throughout the walls, ceiling, and floor helps stabilize humidity and keep things cozy-even on the chilliest Nordic nights. "In the wintertime, it’s even nicer than in the summer," says Line. "It is a joy to watch the moonlight and the wild ocean."


Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×