Lönnhässlevägen

Sited in an agricultural hamlet in southern Sweden the timber house, built at the turn of the last century, had been extensively refurbished in the 1970s while a derelict lean-to at the rear was in need of replacement.

The extension references the house’s former incarnation as a shop while the simple form and materials (larch and felt) take their cues from traditional local, domestic and agricultural typologies.

External built work was minimised in keeping with the modest context and budget was instead assigned internally, consolidating existing inefficient space and adding new programme.

The house is reorientated to face inwards on the owner’s land, simultaneously allowing larger openings and greater privacy. To this end the western elevation has been opened up and existing windows in the revised plan now take advantage of the exceptional evening light which fills the valley.

The now expansive kitchen adds a fitting crescendo to a sequence of spaces given variety by the new double height entrance hall. A previously claustrophobic living room now finds its place in this sequence as an intimate retreat in the evenings and winter, centered on the traditional ceramic stove which remains.

Upstairs a new living space has been formed at an extended landing and above this a new roof light brings light down through both levels. Greater flexibility of accommodation is offered through the creation of an additional bedroom and shower room.