Situated at the end of a beautiful peninsula in Vendelsö south of Stockholm, this house was designed for a family that decided to leave a busy global metropolis behind for the pristine natural environment of this cozy suburb, typical for the outskirts of the Swedish capital. Working with zoning regulations which were very restrictive in terms of both placement and sizing, the design was derived from an ambition to extend the interior spatial experience to make the house feel larger, and to shape the design of the house to harmonize with the flat surrounding. We achieved this by adding a balcony that encircles the house, as well as a double height space and generous glass partitions. The design furthermore builds on horizontal layering, which counteracts the impression of height in favor of a more grounded and serene appearance. The layout is a simple S shape with a terrace at one end and a backyard nestled around a tree at the other end, both visible from the interior of the house. A studio, guest house, sauna building, and garage complements the plot, adding to the feeling of a cozy hamlet ready for countless joyful gatherings of friends and family for decades to come.

Designed as an oasis with a beautiful garden surrounded by trees and hedges within a fairly dense neighborhood, JL house is a graphical statement with an open entrance floorplan where the large glass partitions blur the border between indoors and outdoors. The upper floor which becomes visible above the hedges surrounding the plot is more private and features blinds for visual privacy and shade. The experience of the house begins with a deliberately low approach and entrance which dramatically opens up directly into the staircase atrium with full height ceiling in the shape of a sky view adorned with beautiful pendant lighting. The entrance floor is stretched between the views of two beautiful garden features at either end – a rock garden and a pond – both visible through the entire house. The upper floor similarly features an unobstructed line of sight throughout with all floor to ceiling sliding doors open. The house features an elegant and timeless palette of materials which were carefully selected to complement and strengthen the overall design vision. The exterior is made up of twig free pine wood, plaster, metal cladding and slate bricks while the interior features elm wood, chalk paint, limestone and marble with a fireplace crowned with a black iron hood. As usual, all interior joinery and stonework is bespoke and designed by us, exclusively for the house.

The design originated from the owner’s interest in World War 2 era bunkers which are common along the Swedish coastline, and the vision was a concrete house which had almost become overgrown, with moss partially covering the rouch concrete structure. The decision was later made to add a layer of sophistication with an upper floor in smooth twigless pine wood, and this contrast between rough and smooth came to serve as the cornerstone of the design from there on. The house, which is predominantly rectilinear, also features subtle elements of curvature to further enhance these contrasts, including a bespoke stainless steel kitchen island designed exclusively for the project. Its rounded features together with the finely brushed surface of the steel generates a beautiful play of light and shadow. The entrance floor is mainly social, and a stair suspended above a planting bed leads up to the private second floor with subdued acoustics and beautiful views from every room.