The client dreamed of a house with generous use of glass, exposed concrete and oak wood, positioned on a hillside plot of land on the Oslo fjord and surrounded by old trees that absolutely had to be preserved. The result is a modern villa that allows plenty of natural light to enter through the generous glazing and, at the same time, provides remarkable views of the surrounding landscape.
| Type of Building | Private Home |
| Product areas | Facades Sliding doors Automation |
| Schüco Systems | FWS 50 ADS 75 HD.HI FWS 60 AWS 75.SI+ |
| Features | New build Smart Building Barrier-free Healthy living |
| Location | Oslo, Norway |
| Completion | 2023 |
| Architects | lundhagem |
| Specialist company | Elverhoey Aluminium og Glass AS |
| Picture credits | © Hundven-Clements Photography |
Villa Oslofjord is situated on a south-east facing plot with a height difference of around ten metres. To be successful given the special topographical context, the architects relied on precise 3D scans. This meant the site could be fully mapped out and the existing tree population was recorded in detail – an important prerequisite for a context-specific design. In the digital model, different façade solutions, volumes and material concepts were reviewed in terms of perspectives and views. Together with the client, the planner used VR glasses to create and experience the project before any of the work had even begun.
The design of the house is closely linked to that of the existing building stock. The house is designed in the shape of a large horseshoe that opens up towards the south-west. This opening provides a sheltered atrium, which not only helps to preserve the distinctive pine trees, but also channels the low afternoon and evening sunlight into the kitchen, dining room and living room. The building structure is staggered along the edge of the slope: while the north-west area is single-storey, the south-east section spans two floors.
Panorama Design sliding doors were used on several of the façades to make optimal use of daylight and create flowing transitions between the inside and outside areas. Towards the atrium, the side units can be pushed completely into wall recesses, removing boundaries between the spaces. On the lake-facing side of the building, an electric Panorama Design sliding door can open up either to the left or the right. You can exit either via the kitchen or the dining area. A central configuration is also possible, so that a passageway opens up in both the kitchen and the dining room.
As well as using large-scale Panorama Design sliding doors, whereby the outer profiles perfectly integrate into the wall, floor and ceiling, the glass façade in the living room is also particularly noteworthy. The room extends over two floors here, as does the glass façade. The largest unit measures six metres. Installation was a challenge in itself: with the help of a mobile crane, the façade was lifted up over the pine trees. Villa Oslofjord is proof that exceptional houses can be constructed even on challenging plots of land, provided the planning is done correctly and all parties involved work together.
