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Sylling House
Sylling, Norway
by Julian Kinal ARB RIBA
Prior to the last ice age, Tyrifjorden, Norway’s 5th largest lake, was connected to the sea. Sylling village rests on the glacial till that now delineates the south-eastern tip of the lake. Famous for its beautiful views and fertile farmland, Sylling is home to 1,700 people and boasts the best strawberries in Norway.
The site is an ideal balance of the client’s desires to ‘live in beautiful, natural surroundings’, while still providing a sense of community, proximity to schools and easy commute to Oslo (40-min) and Drammen (28-min).
The plot’s steep gradient and stunning panoramic views guided the design. The process started from the living room sofa, and the desired ‘view zone’ determined the position of the rest of the house and the finished floor level of the living room. To minimise the visual impact and follow the natural shape of the land, the house was designed as a series of terraced levels with a central view zone external staircase connecting the front and rear gardens.
Tyrifjorden
137 km² area (53 mi²)
295 m deep (970 ft)
Build Phase
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