The naturally north facing granite landscape prompted a reversed hierarchy of layout, resulting in the upper floor becoming a triple aspect, open plan living space, with 3.2m ceilings and full height windows to the rear which encourage vast amounts of sunlight to enter the house at all times of year.
A large south facing terrace provides ample space for entertaining during the Summer months, whilst the rock face it encapsulates helps create a sense of enclosure and maintains privacy. Beneath are four family bedrooms which have lower ceiling heights and proportionally smaller windows.
The design and material choice allowed for an efficient 6 month build, which was coordinated to complete before the Swedish winter set in. The house is constructed from a single leaf insulative aerated concrete block which is coated in a homogenous light-grey render.
The interior is decorated simply with whitened pine floors, flush skirting and inbuilt carpentry, to allow maximum adaptability for the future owners. Large format windows exaggerate the scale of the living space whilst highlighting views to the harbour beyond.
Villa Mörtnäs, Mörtnäs, Stockholm, Sweden
Program: single-family house
Architects: Fourfoursixsix
Client: Strömma Projek
Area: 280 sqm
Completion: 2014