Hamra House by Swedish Architecture Studio DinellJohansson | Yellowtrace

Hamra House by Swedish Architecture Studio DinellJohansson | Yellowtrace

Hamra House by Swedish Architecture Studio DinellJohansson | Yellowtrace

Hamra House by Swedish Architecture Studio DinellJohansson | Yellowtrace

Hamra House by Swedish Architecture Studio DinellJohansson | Yellowtrace

Hamra House by Swedish Architecture Studio DinellJohansson | Yellowtrace

 

This beautifully simple, compact summer house in Hamra, Sweden was designed by architecture studio DinellJohansson. The client initially asked for an existing barn to be converted into a summer house. Instead, DinellJohansson designed them a barn-like home. Don’t you love it when architects don’t just listen to their client’s brief, but rather go on to create something even better. I love that shit! The house is a simple rectangular structure with single open space, focusing on sustainability and minimisation of waste. Unique furniture and joinery assembled from remaining or reused building material and clever use of space make this house one of a kind.

Keeping the design simple also kept the project cost within the clients’ limited budget. Stone was substituted with concrete block, while plaster cladding mimics the look of vernacular architecture. The corrugated steel roofing is also commonly used for farm buildings on the island. The kitchen is placed in the heart of the house, with a large concrete island in the middle of the room, turning meal preparation into a very social activity.

 

Hamra House by Swedish Architecture Studio DinellJohansson | Yellowtrace

Hamra House by Swedish Architecture Studio DinellJohansson | Yellowtrace

Hamra House by Swedish Architecture Studio DinellJohansson | Yellowtrace

 

Some words from the architects – “The brief came out of the very limited budget: a house as simple as possible. Equally simple as the barn we wanted to convert to a summer dwelling: one open space with a large number of possible beds, cooking in the middle, washing facilities outside the house. Planing regulations ruled the placement of the house to the inner part of the plot which at the time of designing was still densely vegetated and scarcely accessible. It was made possible by a uniquely skilled builder with a passion for architectural detailing.”

Related Post: So Hot Right Now // Living Large in Small Spaces.

 


[Images courtesy of DinellJohansson. Photography by Elisabeth Toll.]

 

4 Responses

  1. CNP

    Um, no toilet or bathroom? When nature calls, do they simply go out into nature?

    Reply
    • Dana Tomić Hughes

      Bathroom and WC are located in the outside pavilion (you can see it in the first photo in the gallery + the site plan). I guess it’s not too dissimilar to being on a campsite with external facilities, except a lot more elegant!

      Reply
  2. Ezabelle

    Oh my goodness, I just love this building.

    It’s “chocolate-box” in its shape and idyllic in its natural and hidden setting.

    But the way the architects have organised the spaces is so clever, whilst retaining the inside volume. It just flows and yet feels effortless.

    And that large inset window to the outside- the detailing is just impeccable.

    I love everything about this house- the simple materials, the spaces, the setting.

    It took my breath away. Great great post YT.

    Reply

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