Widlund House by Claesson Koivisto Rune.

Even though I tend to stay away from projects which have recently been covered to death elsewhere, I couldn’t resist jumping on the bandwagon with this pure Scandinavian beauty. Regular readers would probably know about my “design love affair” with Swedish architects Claesson Koivisto Rune (previously). This awesome threesome (get your mind out of the gutter) strikes yet again with a stunning home, situated on the west coast of the Baltic island Öland. Villa Widlund stands out as a true landmark against ocean views and beachside landscape. The building mass is elegantly pinched at the waist, with prefabricated concrete walls featuring graphic lines dancing across the facade that further accentuate the overall form. This pure white and robust concrete mass boasts consistent but minimal approach to construction and detailing, where main highlight in each room are generous proportions, soaring ceilings and windows looking out to spectacular outdoor views.

“This house is like a funnel of light, space and sea views. The white concrete box is “corsetted” in the middle, creating slightly sheared wall and roof angles. This gives the house both its direction and character, while also marking the difference between the rear private two-storey bedroom part and the communal double ceiling-height front part.” – Claesson Koivisto Rune. 

“Precast concrete is perhaps not the most common choice for a private house at this scale, but was ideal for achieving the ultimate precision in manufacturing tolerance and colour/finish.” – Claesson Koivisto Rune. 

Even though I am not quite convinced about this project in it’s entirety – i.e. stark approach to furnishings, outdoor dead horse sculpture (what the..?), acoustic quality in the living area (I imagine it to be very echoey and cold, but I could be very wrong there) – I remain drawn to the building form, fine proportions and spectacular volumes. To be perfectly frank, this is the type of house which makes me want to unleash my “inner decorator” and “cushion fluffer” so, so badly. Bloody interior designer, huh?

[Photography by Åke E.son Lindman, via Contemporist.]