The only energy on the island is from hydropower and most of the food is sourced locally or grown in the old farmhouse's kitchen garden.
Project description by Stinessen Arkitektur
Manshausen 2.0 is an extension of the Manshausen Island Resort that opened in June 2015.
Manshausen Island is situated in the Steigen Archipelago off the coast of Northern Norway and is home to the world´s largest population of Sea Eagles. The Island´s position between majestic mountains and the Barents Sea is in itself the inspiration for the design.
The Island was historically a trading post for the fishing industry, today only visible in the massive stone quays on the Island. Additionally, there is an existing 18th-century small farmhouse on the Island which was carefully restored and converted into a restaurant with an upstairs library.
The extension completed in June 2018 includes new cabins and a sauna/relax area in connection with a central seawater pond on the island.
The sauna was made using left-over materials from the first stage of the building process and also old slate roof tiles found on the island. The design seeks to relate to the specific positioning in the pond, but also the surrounding landscape, while offering the guests comfortable seating inside and easy access to the cold water.
While the original cabins rest on existing stone quays the new are positioned at the tip of the rocky formations at the northern end of the Island and out over the sea. Although they enjoy much of the same undisturbed sea views the positioning in the landscape offers a unique approach to the design. Wave heights, extreme weather conditions and also future rise in sea level were studied to determine the exact positions of the cabins. The exposure to the natural elements is extreme and aluminium sheet cladding was chosen to withstand the salinity and saltwater exposure. The access to the cabins is via the rocky formations that allow you to step into and up out above the sea below. The shelter design endeavours to make a minimum environmental impact with the use of massive wood.
The glazing is custom-made for the project and the large glasses allow for unobstructed views of nature and the elements outside. All details, also in the interior, are carefully planned and custom-made for the project. The cabins are designed to offer their guests shelter and comfort while at the same time underlining the dramatic experience of the elements outside; the sea, landscape, changing lights, weather and different seasons. Above all the cabins endeavour to fulfil the functional requirements of the guests, with ample space for luggage, a comfortable bathroom and a kitchen/dining area. The cabins accommodate two to four people. The main bed is positioned in the main room, slightly withdrawn from the floor-to-ceiling glasses, to enable the visitor an around-the-clock experience of the outside elements, while still being comfortably sheltered.
The positioning and orientation of all the cabins is based on the consideration of their individual panoramic views and privacy for the guests.
