Press release, November 2024 – Surrounded by a picturesque landscape, a family in southwestern Norway has made their dream of a cosy yet modern house a reality. Exclusive natural materials, like the 1-strip-planks by the Norwegian parquet brand BOEN, provide abundant warmth indoor.
The county of Rogaland has a different landscape to what you would typically expect of Norway. The terrain in the southwest of the country is flatter than elsewhere, and it is not as frequented by tourists. The rough North Sea is ever-present, the beaches are flat and stretch out for miles, and the expansive natural scenery invites long walks and bicycle trips. It is in this setting that one family decided to set up their home, embedding it harmoniously into the surrounding nature. Laid out as a farmhouse with gabled roofs without a roof overhang, it exudes a well-grounded sense of calm. The large window fronts let a lot of light from the north into the house, while making it possible to overlook the extensive countryside from the inside. The inviting living spaces are all organised to be on one level, enabling barrier-free use at every stage of life.
An all-round successful project
To develop and implement the house’s design, the family hired the firm Arkitektkontoret Vest, which has spent over 30 years working successfully on construction projects in Rogaland. The architectural language of its team of 13 specialists always stands out for its integration of Norway’s landscape and use of natural materials. "We work with natural materials as often as we can," explained Åshild Slettebø, Managing Director of Arkitektkontoret Vest. "They are durable, they have a soul, and as they age, they take on a special character. This is what sustainability is for us." The interior design impresses with its skilful combination of minimalistic exposed concrete surfaces, plentiful wood on the ceiling, walls and floors, as well as stylish yet cosy designer furniture. A surprising element is the open roof structure and its oblique surfaces lined with wooden slats. The wooden ceiling also absorbs noise from the room, heightening the house's cosy charm. "The family that owns the house has been very accepting of our suggestions," praised Slettebø. "And the result is incredible. Whenever it is possible in our projects, we opt for a small selection of high-quality materials, which we use in many areas within the house. This successfully creates a cohesive overall aesthetic." This house is fully in line with the Norwegian concept of ‘Hyttekos’, meaning a house for enjoying a nice, cosy time with your family and friends.
High-quality floors made out of authentic oak wood
For the flooring in the house, the architects and owners chose the exclusive Chaletino Oak Nature 1-strip-planks by BOEN. "Whenever we choose a floor, it must be beautiful and a good match for the overall project, and it must be pleasant to walk on," said Slettebø, commenting on the choice of oak parquet. With the extraordinary dimensions of the planks, 2.75 metres long and 30 centimetres wide, the elegant wooden floor creates a visual sensation of space and calm in the large rooms. The Chaletino format also emphasises the structure and character of oak timber. This durable multi-layer parquet has a small bevel along its entire edge, emphasising the special format of the 1-strip-planks. BOEN’s Live Pure surface treatment offers lasting protection for the distinctive grain and natural texture of the oak planks. This ultra-matt finish increases resistance to dust, dirt and liquids, without affecting the natural look of the wood. As part of the treatment, no colour pigments are added to the planks. Nevertheless, they look almost like they are white-treated, fitting perfectly with the popular Nordic interior style.
It’s all about the details
BOEN’s skirting boards, which match the floor, round off the look of the high-quality parquet. Crafted out of the same wood as the Chaletino 1-strip-planks, they make the rooms appear even bigger and more spacious. Only the right details, like matching skirting boards, can add the final touches to a project like this one in a balanced way.
Details and facts
Location: Rogaland County, Norway
Property owner: Private
Architecture: Arkitektkontoret Vest, www.arkitektkontoretvest.no
Installer: Geir Arne Rosvold
Developer: Bjerkreim Bygg AS, www.bjerkreimbygg.no
Parquet: 185 m2 of Chaletino 1-strip-planks, Oak Nature Live Pure by BOEN
Photos: Anne Marthe Widvey
Styling: Boligkonsulentene
St Margrethen, November 2024
Re-print free of charge/copy requested