GWSK Arkitekter were responsible for the design of this “modern barn”. The project, which was completed in 2016, has been titled House KD and is set among the woodlands of Bläsinge in Sweden.
The house takes inspiration from the surrounding buildings and nearby village, merging into their typology but with a distinctly modern twist.
KD House takes on a long, narrow form and contains a total of 1,076 square feet (100 square meters). The owner requested a home with facades that required a minimal amount of maintenance. As a result, the designers opted for precast concrete sections, which are not only extremely durable but also quick to install.
The home’s layout and size was based on the dimensions of the prefab elements. The gable ends are cast of a single of block concrete with a height of 14 feet (4.2 meters), while the longitudinal walls are 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall to allow for door openings (a beam was then placed on top to connect the various sections).
The interior, like the exterior, is finished in a crisp contemporary style. White walls and ceilings, along with simple furniture pieces help to create an air of tranquillity. Large windows and patio doors run the length of the home, bringing plenty of natural light. External shades are used to control heat and light intake, preventing it from becoming a sauna.
The long narrow layout, lead to rooms being allocated sequentially. The right-hand-side of the home is largely taken up by an open plan living area that contains the kitchen, dining room, and living room. Working our way towards the opposite end of the home, you encounter a cloak room, two single-bed bedrooms, the bathroom, and the master bedroom.
As with most Nordic homes, the exterior plays a large part in its design. KD House features an expansive wrap-around deck that extends the interior living spaces and helps to better connect the occupants with the surrounding environment.
For more small houses check out Enough House, a minimalist home by Sweetapple Architects. Or, the Lake House by JRKVC, a pragmatic playhouse for a family of five. See all small houses.
Via ArchDaily
Photos: Linus Flodin
Poured concrete as a building material is, to me, cold and soulless. Give me natural wood and stone any day. Nevertheless, this modern structure’s simple elegance strikes a positive cord with me. Very nice., almost Japanese. But all that white — when the landscape is covered with ice and snow, surely all that white in and of the house will make it feel like an ice box, even with a roaring wood fire. These comments are respectfully submitted.
Stephan of Arkansas, USA
I like this house in Norway because it is so functional… I also like white as an interior color for all.
The South, Central american house suffers from too much natural concrete and a flat roof. flat concrete roofs are an architectural feature imposed by the colonialists all over central and south america. they ALWAYs leak
Kristina, being pedantic here, but concrete is anything BUT natural. Does not exist in any form naturally in nature.
Stephen, stone is damned cold as well as concrete. Very little difference thermally between the two.
Yes, Paul, I agree with U that stone is cold as concrete BUT, in my view, stone has “soul”, as does wood, as do many natural pigmented kinds of brick. I’ve long thought that concrete is cold AND soulless. Look at the “natural” soul and warmth of traditional Japanese structures of stone and wood together, Shinto shrines, and many of the works of the late Arkansas master architect Fay Jones. Now, I am certainly no expert, merely an interested lay-creature, but what if this KD House in Norway consisted of natural stone floors, with wood walls and ceilings, plus of course the glass — far more interesting and comfy, with natural soul and spirit, and appealing — at least to little old traditionalist me, though we all know it would not have been cheap or quick to construct. What do U think? These comments respectfully submitted.
Stephan, Arkansas, USA
I like it but I would definitely some privacy with shades and possible small bookcases (2 or 3 shelf) with shades to the floor and possibly a very light blue on the ceiling or on the walls or portion of to make you feel that you are in the clouds. I would not have wood up to the ceilings. I would rather have paint in lighter colors.