House on an Island by Atelier Oslo – Sculptural Cabin by the Norwegian Coast

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Modern coastal house with a wooden mesh exterior wall illuminated at night, located on a rocky plot by the ocean with a forested slope in the background

House on an Island by Atelier Oslo — a compact yet poetic dwelling designed for two artists on the rocky southern coast of Norway. With just 70 square meters, the house harmoniously fits into the harsh nature, blending inner and outer life through concrete floors, a prefabricated wooden structure, and finely crafted wooden framework. The result is a contemplative refuge where nature, light, and architecture exist in harmony.

Project Overview

The island site features smooth, curved stones descending to the sea. Instead of imposing its form, architects carefully measured and adapted the design to fit the house directly into the landscape.

The house unfolds in layers:

Concrete floors, poured to the level of natural rocks.
Prefabricated wooden structure, installed above the concrete, provides shelter and flexibility.
Light wooden screen, surrounding the house, filters light and frames views.

This construction sequence not only minimized impact on the site but also created an architectural story directly linked to the feeling of moving through a rocky landscape.

Integration with Topography

The concrete floors follow the terrain, becoming simultaneously interior surfaces and exterior terraces. They blur the boundary between architecture and geology, so walking through the house resembles a walk across the island itself.

Functional elements — fireplace, kitchen, and bathroom — emerge from the concrete like sculptural features, reinforcing the sense that the house is carved out of its environment rather than simply placed on it.

Wooden Structure and Light Play

Above the concrete base comes a wooden frame organizing the house. Ultimately, a lightweight wooden screen with depth wraps around the house, filtering natural light and casting changing shadows throughout the day.

This layered approach creates a soft, contemplative atmosphere:

Shadows resemble tree canopies, evoking the feeling of sitting under foliage.
Filtered views frame the sea and surrounding rocks, alternating openness with intimacy.
Assembly allowed for quick construction with minimal disruption to the sensitive site.

Extension and Privacy

A small prefabricated extension was added to protect the house from a neighboring building and simultaneously create a private interior space. This move provides both protection and an additional outdoor relaxation area.

The extension is small in scale but important for the project's privacy strategy, ensuring that the house remains a contemplative retreat for work and reflection.

Materials and Low Maintenance

The choice of materials reflects both durability and ecological sensitivity:

Kebony wood covers all external elements. Treated with heat for longevity, Kebony gradually fades to a silver-gray color, eliminating the need for regular maintenance.
Concrete gives the house stability and acts as a thermal accumulator.
Wood softens the structure, adding warmth and tactile quality to interiors.

This restrained palette underscores the architects’ commitment to simplicity, honesty, and integration with nature.

Experience and Atmosphere

The entrance is designed as a path. Approaching from the back of the island, stairs pass through the building, guiding guests toward the sea side and framing the transition from land to a contemplative refuge.

Inside, light, shadows, and views create an ever-changing atmosphere. Spaces are minimalist yet rich in sensory experience, allowing inhabitants to focus on creativity, relaxation, and the beauty of the natural environment.

The House on an Island by Atelier Oslo demonstrates how modest scale can yield profound architecture. With integration into the rocks, a layered concrete, wood, and wooden screen structure, and use of Kebony for durability with minimal maintenance, architects created a sculptural cabin that is both poetic and practical.

For the two artists who live here, the house is more than a shelter — it’s a tool for contemplation: a refuge where architecture amplifies the endless dialogue between people and nature.