The R21 Arkitekter studio seeks a constant dialogue with the surrounding landscape without dominating it. The program is distributed on two levels. The first level relates to the exterior by arranging the children's rooms around a living area facing south, capturing sunlight and extending towards the exterior porch.
The second level seeks views towards the exterior landscape, locating the living room and balconies facing south with views of the ski slopes, while the kitchen area is located on the north face enjoying a panoramic view of the summit of Kvitfjell Toppen.
The project reinterprets traditional Norwegian constructions with solid wood logs using a system based on laminated solid wood blocks. To protect against strong winds, the volumes protrude in the window areas following traditional architecture. The wooden structure provides formal coherence while reinforcing the tectonic character, integrating both aspects into the project.
Kvitfjell Cabin by R21 Arkitekter. Photograph by Mariela Apollonio.
Project description by R21 Arkitekter
The project involves the design and construction of a weekend cabin located in Kvitfjell, near the Vinterro cabins, a project developed in parallel by the practice. The main challenge is to integrate a large program with minimal interference with the natural environment, seeking a harmonious dialogue with the landscape without attempting to dominate it.
Following the same principles as in the Vinterro cabins — positioning at the upper part of the ski resort, proper orientation of the building, and visual integration with the surroundings — the project aims to maintain formal and contextual coherence. The plot dictates the arrangement of the spaces: the upper floor is raised to provide a better visual relationship with the surrounding landscape. The program is distributed over two levels. The lower floor includes the garage, services, and the children's rooms, arranged around a living area that captures the southern sunlight and extends towards the exterior. The upper floor contains the main bedrooms and the day areas, conceived as a single open space. From the living room, the main view is directed toward the ski slopes, while the kitchen enjoys a panoramic view towards the top of Kvitfjell Toppen. The balconies are positioned on the longitudinal facade, facing the southern sun.
The project also proposes a reinterpretation of traditional solid wood log construction (block-bau). A modern system has been chosen, inspired by the building traditions of mountainous regions, developed by a Finnish company, based on laminated solid wood blocks (200x350 mm) with precise sections for interlocking. The walls that define the spaces are arranged in a cross pattern, in line with this construction system. The width of the pieces, along with a beam on each side, establishes the module for both the floor and the roof. On the facades, the volume is perceived as an alternation between the open (glass) and the closed (solid wood). As in traditional architecture, the volumes project in the areas of the windows, protecting them from strong winds. The structure itself is a manifestation of form, reinforcing the formal coherence and tectonic character of the piece, achieving total integrity in the project.
