Retreat from the snow in this all-timber cabin perched atop a mountain

Located at the top of Kvitfjell (Norwegian for “White Mountain”) in Norway, the all-timber cabin spans 26 meters. Designed by architecture practice Erling Berg, this purposely narrow layout features large south facing windows to drink in the captivating views from every corner of the main living space.

In addition to offering gorgeous mountain views, the double glazed windows are energy efficient, and by positioning the home in a south-western orientation, they bathe the home in natural sunlight. The windows also maximise the home’s ability to make the most of passive heat gain. In such a cold region, every little bit helps!

The exterior of the building is clad in locally sourced natural wood panels, left untreated to allow them grey over time and blend into the landscape. Windows and doors, also made out of pine wood, were constructed within an hour of Kvitfjell, keeping transport emissions low and contributing to the projects low carbon footprint.

The use of timber continues inside with nearly every surface of the home made from locally sourced white oiled pine. Cabinets, flooring, the ceiling, furniture, and even the kitchen benchtop is made from timber. The choice of light-colored pine also helps improve light quality throughout the space and the restrained materials palette creates a restful and cocoon-like retreat from the chilly weather outside.

The Kvitfjell cabin is heavily insulated to protect from the notorious harsh winters in Norway, and a small but efficient wood stove provides heat for the space.

The kitchen, dining, and family room feature an open floor plan, squarely focused on the hillside views, while the bedrooms and bathrooms are nested together to form quiet zones in the house. Architect Erling Berg designed extra storage inside the walls of these rooms to leave more space in the main living areas.

Continuing with the focus on sustainability, most of the open plan portion of the house is lowered into the landscape, following the natural contour of the plot. This design allows for vaulted ceilings that create a spacious and airy interior.

Related project: Skigard Hytte Cabin by Mork-Ulnes Architects is another all-timber home built on a snowy mountain. Read about it here

Sustainability specs:
– Locally sourced pine
– All-timber cabin – all exterior cladding, internal wall and ceiling lining, floorboards, joinery and furniture is timber
– Double glazed windows
– Highly insulated against harsh winter weather
– Passive solar design – long narrow footprint ensures most rooms are naturally lit and get warmth from the sun
– Well-placed windows provide mountain views and capture daylight and warmth
– Low maintenance home

I am passionate about crafting unique spaces, addressing the important relationship between scale, form, natural light, and the use of genuine materials, carefully considering context and functionality.