A Swedish Summerhouse Made from Humble Materials

Förstberg Arkitektur of Malmo, Sweden, have a way with rough construction materials. In their hands, simple forms, a thoughtful layout, and considered details transform the mundane into architectural poetry. Have a look at a 1,400-square-foot summerhouse that they recently completed.

Photography via Förstberg Arkitektur.

Above: On a narrow plot of land in Linköping, Sweden, the architects created pure forms by wrapping the elevations (and roofs, too) in raw corrugated aluminium. The two parallel volumes are connected in one place but staggered, creating outdoor spaces both in the front and the back of the building. The front volume holds the bedroom and studio; the recessed one is devoted to kitchen, dining, and living areas.

Above: A basic palette of natural and stained plywood and polished concrete floors runs throughout the house. In the studio, the polished concrete floor has been extended along the perimeter to become a bench and shelf.

Above: In the studio, the butt joints, where the plywood sheets meet, are repeated in intervals around the room, turning them into an elegant architectural detail.

Above: Behind the kitchen, a dark-gray-stained hut-like interior structure echoes the angle of the roofline; it houses a bathroom and laundry room.

Above: In the same volume, the separation between the dining area and living area is achieved through a simple shift in color.

Above: The subtle (but impactful) line of demarcation between dining and living area.

Above: A grid of basic white tiles outlined with dark grout lend the bathroom pattern and texture. See Remodeling 101: White Tile Pattern Glossary for more ways to use white tiles.

Above: In the backyard, a third, smaller volume houses a gardening shed.

Above: A floor plan of the multi-volume house.

For more posts about inspired uses of building basics, see Extreme Repurposing in Sydney, Tin Shed Edition and Shocking Color in a Swedish Summer House. In Hardscaping 101: Standing Seam Metal Roofs, we investigate Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory members’ favorite roofing material.