A Cabin-Inspired Family Home Exposed To The Northern Lights

This is not your usual cabin nor a traditional family home. It’s actually an interesting combination of the two. The building occupies a small and steep site surrounded by neighboring homes but also with plenty of open space around it.

The exterior of the house is clad in wood and features distinct patterns for the front and the sides
The exterior of the house is clad in wood and features distinct patterns for the front and the sides

It’s located in Molde, Norway in a beautiful place from where to admire the Northern Lights at night. The big windows definitely allow for it and the whole house has been designed to maximize the views. This is a project that was completed in 2020 by studio Rever & Drage Architects

The living area on the second floor has a double height ceiling and a lovely view of the treetops
The living area on the second floor has a double height ceiling and a lovely view of the treetops

The steep site meant that the house needed to partially be built into the slope. Because of that combined with a desire to maximize the views, the architects raised the house’s three main floors on top of a covered ground floor which is outdoors but sheltered from the elements. This is where the main entrance, parking space, storage and technical rooms are all clustered together. There’s also a 5-meter high space in here which can be used as a playroom. 

The steep slope embraces the house and makes it feel welcome within this beautiful landscape
The steep slope embraces the house and makes it feel welcome within this beautiful landscape
The front of the house is oriented towards a beautiful open area which can be admired from inside
The front of the house is oriented towards a beautiful open area which can be admired from inside
The house has a small footprint but it's tall and has plenty of space inside for cozy areas for the whole family
The house has a small footprint but it’s tall and has plenty of space inside for cozy areas for the whole family
Wood was used extensively throughout the house both as a primary material and an accent one
Wood was used extensively throughout the house both as a primary material and an accent one
The living room, kitchen and dining area are exposed to beautiful views in three directions
The living room, kitchen and dining area are exposed to beautiful views in three directions
The ground floor is uninsulated and serves as a parking and storage area for various things
The ground floor is uninsulated and serves as a parking and storage area for various things

That leaves the top three floors for all the indoor areas. The first floor houses two bedrooms, a laundry room and a dressing area. It can be reached from the ground floor via a set of oak stairs. From there, a staircase made of pine wood leads up to the second floor. This is where the living room, kitchen and a library area are situated. They have large windows which let in natural sunlight from the west, south and east, allowing for lovely views of the sunrise and sunset. The third floor adds another bedroom, a bathroom, a balcony and a gallery space which also gives access to a roof terrace. In total there’s 152 square meters of space inside this simple cabin-inspired home

The floors are linked through staircases made of oak and pine wood
The floors are linked through staircases made of oak and pine wood
The double-height ceiling gives the living area a very open and airy look
The double-height ceiling gives the living area a very open and airy look