House Tjurpannan/

House Tjurpannan is a retreat located at coastal Nature Reserve – Tjurpannan, in west Sweden. This area is exposed to open sea defined by its austere character. You first encounter the house through an old stone wall, where a natural path through the cultural landscape leads way up towards the house.

Location follows traditional train of thought, paying close attention to topography, direction and importance of natural elements. Positioned where the terrain flattens out, the house becomes a portal towards the Nature Reserve.

The spatial organisation is derived from a grid of wooden structure, directly anchored in the rock. The house offers a basic living function and base for spontaneous and unexpected use.

Hence the house could be seen as a luxurious way of camping.

Structural and material expression is rustic and the construction approach pragmatic. The overall volume of the house is typical and the structural grid is largely defined by standard wooden elements found in the local hardware store.

The building keeps a low profile with dark natural colours throughout. All exterior wood is treated with tar, interior is stained dark brown to frame nature outside. By drawing attention to specificities of the surrounding in this way, the spatial boundary expands and connects the house to its exterior context.

• Architect: HelgessonGonzaga (Isabell Gonzaga & Andreas Helgesson Gonzaga)
• Contractor: Byggtech
• Photographs: Mikael Olsson