KrokholmenKrokholmenKrokholmen
The site is a promontory on the relatively small island of Krokholmen in Stockholm's outer archipelago: a typical archipelago landscape with windswept dwarf pines and soft rocky outcrops formed by the inland ice. The plot benefits from open views, reaching eastwards to the Almagrundet lighthouse in the open sea, and is at times exposed to strong winds. The family requested a maintenance-free vacation home on a single level with social spaces both inside and outside.
We proposed a two-part plan. A central wall containing the fireplace features a narrow opening that provides access to bedrooms, a bathroom and storage, all oriented towards the forest in the west. The large family room, incorporating the kitchen and entrance, faces the sea, offering daylight and views in three directions. A screen of wood and glass runs around the house, uniting interior and exterior spaces on a base of in-situ cast concrete.
The living room opens through large sliding doors onto three terraces: one sheltered from the wind facing south, and another completely open to the water in the east. The building’s section, featuring a unifying, arcuate roof, creates the spatial quality of the interior and defines the overall character of the building. The horizontal openness of the main space towards the sea is balanced by its verticality, with an internal ridge height of 6 metres.
The tent-like room and silhouette of the house connect to the idea of the least complicated way to spend time in nature, while also being inspired by traditional Swedish pavilion and gazebo architecture—light structures carefully placed in the landscape. The result possesses a flavour of easy-going summer life, yet remains surprisingly grand in its expression.
Construction and finishes are made entirely of wood, with the exception of a steel girder that distributes loads above the main façade. Curved glulam beams rest on the low gable façades and meet along a ridge beam. Façade panels and trellis screens are made of cedar wood. The roof and exterior metal details are of zinc. Interior wall panels and cabinetry are made of ash wood.
