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wood forest

Prefabricated architectural concept by architect Emelie Holmberg. I photographed the first made situated in unspoiled woodlands on the island of Väddö, Sweden.

It grew out of a realization of changing living and working patterns partly precipitated by the pandemic. Pre-Covid, Emelie had dreamt of a more flexible lifestyle facilitated by technology, allowing her to work remotely wherever she chose, so long as she had internet access.

This partly sparked the idea for Gimme Shelter, which began life as a concept for her own self-build, low-cost home. The project comprises two structures. One measures 32 sq m and contains a living room, kitchen, and bathroom; the other occupies 10sq m and houses a bedroom.

GIMME SHELTER
SUMMERHOUSE H

BY JAMES SILVERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

I was entrusted with the delightful task of capturing Summerhouse H, a strikingly poetic creation by Danish architects Elkiær + Ebbeskov, nestled amidst the serene coastal landscape of Halmstad in Southern Sweden.

They have taken inspiration from the Hamptons and Johannesburg, while the Scandinavian touch shines through. Katarina and Jörgen's summer house is a stylish holiday paradise that oozes luxury and good choices.

 

If you didn't know better, you might think you were visiting a summer home in the American jet set's favorite East Coast town, the Hamptons: a house clad in cedar, which is also used for the floors, which continue into concrete tiles that smoothly slide into a pool of clear, aquamarine water. All that's missing is some chalky-white garden furniture, rows of hydrangea bushes and a pitcher of iced tea. The fact is, however, that we are in Halmstad in southern Sweden, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Copenhagen.

 

 We weren't really supposed to have a summer house, but then we found this fantastic natural plot of land near the water. There was an old cabin from the 1940s that we lived in for two years while we got a building permit. A place where there was room for the whole family, without anyone feeling like they were in the way. In addition, it also had to be a house where we could live for longer periods, not just on weekends, explains Jörgen, who himself is originally from Halmstad and still has good friends in the area.

It is not entirely coincidental that the appearance of the house has something American about it, says Jörgen, who owns the house with his wife Katarina.

He discovered the Hamptons-based architectural firm Bates Masi Architects when he was in the initial inspiration phase. He also looked at a number of houses on the Danish west coast; Halmstad also has dunes, and the landscapes may be somewhat similar. It was also in Denmark that he found Elkiær + Ebbeskov Arkitekter, who have been in charge of the drawings and construction together with the local contractor Tolarps Bygg. And there was plenty of inspiration, says architect Lotte Elkiær.

I was entrusted with the delightful task of capturing Summerhouse H, a strikingly poetic creation by Danish architects Elkiær + Ebbeskov, nestled amidst the serene coastal landscape of Halmstad in Southern Sweden. They have taken inspiration from the Hamptons and Johannesburg, while the Scandinavian touch shines through. Katarina and Jörgen's summer house is a stylish holiday paradise that oozes luxury and good choices. If you didn't know better, you might think you were visiting a summer home in the American jet set's favorite East Coast town, the Hamptons: a house clad in cedar, which is also used for the floors, which continue into concrete tiles that smoothly slide into a pool of clear, aquamarine water. All that's missing is some chalky-white garden furniture, rows of hydrangea bushes and a pitcher of iced tea. The fact is, however, that we are in Halmstad in southern Sweden, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Copenhagen. We weren't really supposed to have a summer house, but then we found this fantastic natural plot of land near the water. There was an old cabin from the 1940s that we lived in for two years while we got a building permit. A place where there was room for the whole family, without anyone feeling like they were in the way. In addition, it also had to be a house where we could live for longer periods, not just on weekends, explains Jörgen, who himself is originally from Halmstad and still has good friends in the area.​ It is not entirely coincidental that the appearance of the house has something American about it, says Jörgen, who owns the house with his wife Katarina. He discovered the Hamptons-based architectural firm Bates Masi Architects when he was in the initial inspiration phase. He also looked at a number of houses on the Danish west coast; Halmstad also has dunes, and the landscapes may be somewhat similar. It was also in Denmark that he found Elkiær + Ebbeskov Arkitekter, who have been in charge of the drawings and construction together with the local contractor Tolarps Bygg. And there was plenty of inspiration, says architect Lotte Elkiær. In general, it's great that the client has made some considerations, so we know where we're going. Jörgen and Katarina had prepared really well in terms of the visual expressions, sources of inspiration and details. I went through all their references with them to get an idea of ​​exactly what in the pictures appealed to them.  ​ As an architect, it is Lotte Elkiær's job to analyze and decode the given sources of inspiration and the owners' wishes for the house in order to set the direction for a construction and clarify it. Even before the first line was drawn, Jörgen told her that he had bought two PK22 chairs that would be in the house, that he dreamed of a hanging fireplace, and that he really liked the idea that upon arrival at the house you could not see the entrance area clearly, as if it were a bit of a secret. Today, the chairs stand beautifully in the living room, and behind them an Ergofocus fireplace hangs from the ceiling. And the front door? It is hinged, so you can only see a metal handle, and otherwise it blends in with the facade. But one thing is the appearance of the finished result, another is the functions of the house. Should it be a regular summer house or a flexible home or be suitable for rental? In Jörgen and Katarina's case, it was a mix of the first two: They live in Stockholm on a daily basis, but saw the opportunity to have a place that was completely different from their home, and a place where they could gather family and friends around them. Here, the "key" was, in addition to a main house, an annex as an independent residence. But there were also many other things that needed to be accommodated - a home office and common areas for entertaining guests and for spending time all year round. Written by Marlene Toldbod Jakobsen for Bo Bedre magazine

In general, it's great that the client has made some considerations, so we know where we're going. Jörgen and Katarina had prepared really well in terms of the visual expressions, sources of inspiration and details. I went through all their references with them to get an idea of ​​exactly what in the pictures appealed to them. 

As an architect, it is Lotte Elkiær's job to analyze and decode the given sources of inspiration and the owners' wishes for the house in order to set the direction for a construction and clarify it. Even before the first line was drawn, Jörgen told her that he had bought two PK22 chairs that would be in the house, that he dreamed of a hanging fireplace, and that he really liked the idea that upon arrival at the house you could not see the entrance area clearly, as if it were a bit of a secret.

Today, the chairs stand beautifully in the living room, and behind them an Ergofocus fireplace hangs from the ceiling. And the front door? It is hinged, so you can only see a metal handle, and otherwise it blends in with the facade.

But one thing is the appearance of the finished result, another is the functions of the house. Should it be a regular summer house or a flexible home or be suitable for rental?

In Jörgen and Katarina's case, it was a mix of the first two: They live in Stockholm on a daily basis, but saw the opportunity to have a place that was completely different from their home, and a place where they could gather family and friends around them. Here, the "key" was, in addition to a main house, an annex as an independent residence. But there were also many other things that needed to be accommodated - a home office and common areas for entertaining guests and for spending time all year round.

Written by Marlene Toldbod Jakobsen for Bo Bedre magazine

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