Kolman Boye Architects Sweden
Our Architect Series is designed to celebrate the creative minds behind the conception of our hideaways and provide further insight into the design process that led to these unique projects.
‚Sitting down in one of the chaise-longues looking out over the sea feels like coming to rest after a long journey’.
In our latest Architect Series we talked to renowned Stockholm based design practice Kolman Boye Architects, who created the jaw dropping Vega Island Hideaway.
Kolman Boye Architects was founded in 2013 by Erik Kolman Janouch and Victor Boye Julebäk after having collaborated on several projects. The practice has a research-based approach, coupling academic work with construction and material investigation. Projects are informed by a sensitivity to experience, cultural heritage and the physical qualities of architecture.
The unpretentious but strong expression of this Vega Island holiday home has put the remote Unesco protected island Vega on the radar; design and architecture lovers from all over are discovering the beauty of the Norwegian Archipelgo on the border of the Artic Circle. Seemingly growing from the harsh northern landscape, framed with wide panoramas of the Norwegian Sea and jagged mountains, the house sits on a large rock and showcases the skillfull and sensitive approach of the architects.
The Vega Island Hideaway was recently even featured on BCC’s ‚The World’s Most Extraodrinary Homes’.
We spoke to Erik Kolman Janouch and Victor Boye Julebäk about the beauty of aging materials, the impotance of leaving landscapes untouched and the challenges of building without ‚major’ machines…
Please tell us about your path into architecture.
It has always been a urge in us to design places that are unique and make use of our different skill sets. Architecture is in many ways the perfect profession for us, combining several skills in a very unique manner: the artistic aspect, the technical aspect, the ecological aspect … all play a crucial role.
How would you describe the design of the cottage?
The cottage’s design is firmly rooted in the local architecture of the place. The small fishermen’s huts clinging in the strong winds to the rugged shoreline. We adapted the design of those no frills functional buildings to a slightly different setting (of the shoreline). A simple, strong volume with minimal detail and a focused attention on leaving the landscape completely untouched by the addition.
Please tell us about the materials used to build the cottage.
Very simple but refined materials to suit the austerity of the landscape. An almost untreated larch facade, big glass windows and sheet metal roofing. Materials that can age without losing the qualities.
The same design principle guided us on the inside. Linseed oil painted pine for the walls and for the ceiling, a simple wooden floor and an unobstructed view towards the magnificent exterior landscape. Nothing more is needed.
Talk us through some of the key pieces of furniture in the cottage.
The main fixed pieces of furniture are the kitchen and the fireplace. The kitchen is made from birch plywood with a stainless-steel top and provides a generous space for cooking in company with others. The dual design of the cottage provided a double wall for hiding the top cabinets in the wall. A design solution that we prefer to minimize the clutter of kitchen spaces.
The rest of the furniture are vintage pieces from mostly Danish designers. The Danish furniture fits well with the cottage’s simple but refined style.
What is your favourite aspect of the cottage?
The favourite aspect of the cottage is the austere serenity that you feel when you come there. Sitting down in one of the Bernt Petersen chaise-longues looking out over the sea feels like coming to rest after a long journey. The framing of the incessantly moving landscape forces instant mindfulness onto the beholder.
What was the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge was to build the cottage without any major machines. All the materials were brought up there using a temporary cable car transport solution. It took a long time and it was almost impossible to transport the large panoramic windows.
Do you have any other interesting projects on the horizon?
We have many projects spread out around the world at the moment. We’re doing a very interesting project in Thailand where we try to merge aspects of the Nordic architecture with Asian influences. We’re also working on a house near the Bavarian Forest where we’re again re-using the local architecture letting it influence our style.
Find out more about Kolman Boye Architects