The Architecture of Norwegian Cabins In Relation To Their Breathtaking Surroundings

Norway has lots of big mountains and rugged landscapes which makes it a perfect place to search for beautiful and inspiring cabin designs. There’s a lot of inspiration to be found out here so we’re put together a list of our top ten Norway cabins chosen based on design, surroundings and overall appeal. Each is different and unique but they all share in common a modern design approach and a respect for nature and its magnificent beauty. 

The Diamanten Cabin by A38 Arkitekter

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

This a cabin situated at the center of Norway, in the beautiful mountains above Oppdal. Its name translated as The Diamong Cabin which is a reference to its angular and unusual geometry. It was designed by studio A38 Arkitekter and completed in 2019 and it’s a small structure with a total surface of 45 square meters.

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

Upon looking at it you can immediately tell this is not your average traditional cabin. It looks like a gem and it contrasts with the more mainstream structures around it. At the same time, it’s designed to take advantage of its location and to have minimal impact on the land. 

The Manshausen 2.0 Island Resort by Stinessen Arkitektur

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

This modern cabin was designed in 2018 by studio Stinessen Arkitektur and serves as an extension of the existing Manshausen Island Resort. It’s situated in the Steigen Archipelago between the mountains and the sea which gives it amazing views.

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
 

The expansion project includes a series of cabins just like this one and also a sauna which was constructed using leftover materials. The cabins extend over the water and had to be designed and positioned in relation to the climate and the fluctuating sea level. For the exterior a durable frame made of aluminum was chosen due to the exposure to salt water. This gives them a modern and slightly industrial appearance which is toned down by the glass and the overall geometry.

The Efjord Retreat Cabin by Stinessen Arkitektur

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

The talented studio Stinessen Arkitektur also designed this magnificent cabin back in 2017. It’s situated in Halvarøy island and has gorgeous views on all sides.

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

The team was asked to create an inviting retreat that would be able to offer total privacy but also take advantage of the panoramic views and the stunning landscape that surrounds it. That inspired the architects to create two slightly offset volumes with contrasting designs and functions using glass and pinewood for the exterior

The Hooded Cabin by Arkitektværelset As

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

The design of this cabin is an interesting one for multiple reasons. It looks intriguing and unusual and it has a very sheltered structure as suggested by the name as well. It’s also a design created in response to multiple strict building regulations in this particular region of Norway.

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

Cabin out here are required to have sectioned windows, standing wood paneling, triple bargeboards and 22 to 27 degree cabled roofs. Although this adds a lot of limitations to the design, it also allowed the team at Arkitektværelset As to put a creative spin on the design and to come up with this unique structure. 

The PAN-cabins by sivilarkitet espen surnevik as

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

This is a set of cabins situated in the beautiful Finnskogen forest area in Eastern Norway. They were designed by studio sivilarkitet espen surnevik as and they can be rented individually. The idea behind their unusual design was to create architecture that connects to the land in a unique way.

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

 The most noticeable thing about them is the fact they’re lifted 8 meters up over the ground and they’re supported by slender metal frames. The actual cabins themselves have triangular, tent-like shapes and include a main floor with a kitchen and a living area as well as a bathroom plus a mezzanine with a sleeping area. 

The Østfold Cabin by Lund+Slaatto Architects

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

The design of this cabin is interesting and unusual in its own unique way. The shape of the roof is rather peculiar, as it extends down at the back and connects to floor structure, thus giving the cabin a very sheltered look from this perspective. This is not a big structure.

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

It measures 60 square meters in total and was constructed in 2013 by studio Lund+Slaatto Architects. It occupies a beautiful site in the Oslofjord archipelago, with magnificent coastal views and lots of trees dotted around. There are two volumes that make up this cabin, a main section and a smaller annex. They’re connected by a terrace which helps to reinforce the strong relationship between the cabin and its natural surroundings. 

The Stokkøya Cabin by Kappland Arkitekter

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

From a distance, it looks like a shadow, a glitch in the texture of the hill. As you get closer the shape of a modern cabin starts to form. It sits on Stokkøya island on a beautiful and lush hillside that overlooks the open sea. The low vegetation gives it a clean and unobstructed view and also allows it to stand out more.

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

The cabin follows the steep slope and that indirectly structures it on multiple levels. Inside, one gets to actually ascend the slope in order to reach the areas at the top. That’s a very interesting and effective way of establishing a strong bond between the cabin and the land that it sits on. This was a project completed by Kappland Arkitekter in 2018. 

The Lille Arøya Cabin by Lund Hagem

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

This cabin is situated on a small island which can only be reached by boat. It has beautiful topography with large height differences, exposed rocks and coastal views. Building a cabin here was challenging. In fact, as you can see, this structure sits on the edge, on a small and low rocky area close to the water.

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

It’s attached to the island with a structure of stilts and it attaches to an existing house. It has two main volumes, one which contains two bedrooms and another which houses the living and dining areas as well as the kitchen. This is a case when the cabin enhances the site on which it stands which in this case was only gathering debris and served no useful purpose. This was a project by architecture studio Lund Hagem completed in 2014.

A small house by Atelier Oslo

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

The South coast of Norway is characterized by a smooth topography with curved rocks that gradually descend towards the water. Here Atelier Oslo built a beautiful little house for two artists, a place where they can work, be inspired and admire the beauty that surrounds them. It sits on a small hill and it becomes embedded into the landscape.

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

The concrete floors are set on different levels which follow the outline of the hillside and this creates a wonderful feeling of immersion. The rocks become a part of the interior design and the house becomes a part of the landscape. This special relationship is reinforced in multiple levels. 

Cabin Geilo

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

A lot of beautiful sites such as this one are secluded. During winter this cabin can only be reached via snowmobile or ski. It occupies a beautiful piece of land that overlooks the valley of Geilo and has to withstand harsh temperatures and heavy snowfall.

Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance
Cabin Geilo in norway by Lund Hagem entrance

As a result, the architects at studio Lund Hagem had to adapt its design to these specific requirements. They created a 150 square meter cabin composed of three main sections: a main area, a guest house and a carport.

It occupies the lowest area on the site and almost disappears underneath the snow in winter. The exterior is made of concrete and dark stained timber which references the traditional houses found in this region. The design however is a modern one.