Architecture

Isolated mountain cabin is all about the view

Isolated mountain cabin is all about the view
Cabin Ustaoset was designed to make the most of that amazing view
Cabin Ustaoset was designed to make the most of that amazing view
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Architectural drawing of Cabin Ustaoset
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Architectural drawing of Cabin Ustaoset
Architectural drawing of Cabin Ustaoset
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Architectural drawing of Cabin Ustaoset
Cabin Ustaoset is made primarily from pine
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Cabin Ustaoset is made primarily from pine
Cabin Ustaoset generous glazing makes the most of the amazing views
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Cabin Ustaoset generous glazing makes the most of the amazing views
Cabin Ustaoset has triple-glazed solar protective glass throughout
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Cabin Ustaoset has triple-glazed solar protective glass throughout
Cabin Ustaoset has a total floorspace of 72 sq m (775 sq ft)
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Cabin Ustaoset has a total floorspace of 72 sq m (775 sq ft)
Cabin Ustaoset can sleep up to 13 people, thanks mainly to the use of bunk beds
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Cabin Ustaoset can sleep up to 13 people, thanks mainly to the use of bunk beds
Cabin Ustaoset's interior is clean and simple
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Cabin Ustaoset's interior is clean and simple 
Materials from a pre-existng cabin on the site were used to build Cabin Ustaoset
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Materials from a pre-existng cabin on the site were used to build Cabin Ustaoset
Cabin Ustaoset takes its place remarkably well on the hillside
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Cabin Ustaoset takes its place remarkably well on the hillside
The steps leading into Cabin Ustaoset derive from the pre-existing cabin
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The steps leading into Cabin Ustaoset derive from the pre-existing cabin
Cabin Ustaoset sits atop small concrete piles
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Cabin Ustaoset sits atop small concrete piles
A blocking wall made from reclaimed wood was installed to prevent sheep from getting underneath Cabin Ustaoset
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A blocking wall made from reclaimed wood was installed to prevent sheep from getting underneath Cabin Ustaoset 
Manual tools rather than heavy machinery were used to carefully lay the groundwork at Cabin Ustaoset so as to not disturb the local vegetation
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Manual tools rather than heavy machinery were used to carefully lay the groundwork at Cabin Ustaoset so as to not disturb the local vegetation
Cabin Ustaoset is located in Norway's Hol municipality
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Cabin Ustaoset is located in Norway's Hol municipality
Cabin Ustaoset's combined sleeping, living and dining area
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Cabin Ustaoset's combined sleeping, living and dining area
The interior of Cabin Ustaoset is finished in pine
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The interior of Cabin Ustaoset is finished in pine
One of Cabin Ustaoset's bedrooms
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One of Cabin Ustaoset's bedrooms
Cabin Ustaoset's combined lounge/sleeping area
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Cabin Ustaoset's combined lounge/sleeping area
Cabin Ustaoset was designed to make the most of that amazing view
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Cabin Ustaoset was designed to make the most of that amazing view
Cabin Ustaoset's groundwork was finished with manual tools rather than heavy machinery, so as to not disturb the vegetation
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Cabin Ustaoset's groundwork was finished with manual tools rather than heavy machinery, so as to not disturb the vegetation
Cabin Ustaoset was completed in 2016
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Cabin Ustaoset was completed in 2016
Cabin Ustaoset was part built using reclaimed materials
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Cabin Ustaoset was part built using reclaimed materials
Inside Cabin Ustaoset
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Inside Cabin Ustaoset
Inside, Cabin Ustaoset has a total floorspace of 72 sq m (775 sq ft)
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Inside, Cabin Ustaoset has a total floorspace of 72 sq m (775 sq ft)
There are still some leftover materials from the Cabin Ustaoset build, which Aarhus plans to use to construct an outbuilding later this year
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There are still some leftover materials from the Cabin Ustaoset build, which Aarhus plans to use to construct an outbuilding later this year
Cabin Ustaoset sleeps up to 13 people
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Cabin Ustaoset sleeps up to 13 people
View gallery - 27 images

Situated 1,066 m (3,497 ft) above sea level in Norway, the construction of Cabin Ustaoset posed a challenge due to the lack of road access, and both helicopter and snow scooter were required to deliver materials. It was clearly worth the extra effort though, as the handsome cabin provides an amazing view that includes a lake, mountain range and large glacier.

Cabin Ustaoset is raised slightly atop concrete pillars and has a total floorspace of 72 sq m (775 sq ft). It includes two bedrooms, one combined living room and bedroom, and two lofts, sleeping a maximum of 13 people thanks to bunk beds. There's also a kitchen and dining area and at least one bathroom.

The decor is very clean and simple, and reminds us of other Norwegian cabins we've reported on, such as the Skåpet Mountain Lodges and Cabin Vindheim. Designer and owner Jon Danielsen Aarhus says the interior design was inspired by a gapahuk shelter, an improvised Norwegian shelter consisting of two posts with a horizontal log on top, and branches against it.

The idea was to make full use of the natural views on offer, and to this end Aarhus installed a large glazed wall facing the best view. The glazing throughout is pretty generous though and the glass used is triple-glazed solar protective glass, to reduce solar heat gain.

Cabin Ustaoset is located in Norway's Hol municipality
Cabin Ustaoset is located in Norway's Hol municipality

There's actually a nice backstory to Cabin Ustaoset, too. Aarhus' grandparents formerly maintained a cabin on the same spot. Materials from this old cabin were taken and reused for the new cabin's construction, including old floorboards and reclaimed wood. A small secondary cabin remains on the site, which is being used as an annex.

The new cabin follows the same rough footprint as the old, having already proven ideal for snow distribution (no need to dig out the door in winter, for example). This also meant that the existing vegetation was not unduly disturbed. Aarhus used manual tools rather than heavy machinery to carefully lay the groundwork so as to not destroy the greenery.

We've no word on how Cabin Ustaoset gets its power, but would guess a generator or solar power and batteries are used in such an isolated area. The project was completed in 2016, however there's still a little work left to do – Aarhus plans to use some leftover materials to use to construct an outbuilding later this year.

Source: Jon Danielsen Aarhus

View gallery - 27 images
1 comment
1 comment
Tecton
Another pristine region screwed by man!