Norwegian architecture studio Vardehaugen recently completed a charming off-grid cabin that riffs on the motif of a snowbound home with only its roof protruding through the snow. The cabin's sloping form also serves as a ski jump and toboggan/sledding run.
Cabin Vindheim is situated deep in the woods near Lillehammer, Norway. Thanks to its unusual form – essentially just a series of sharply sloping roof sections that lend the impression of a larger structure hidden beneath the snow – the firm says winter revelers can climb atop and enjoy ski-jumping and other snow-based activities on the man-made slopes.
Playing around on the roof is sure to be a lot of fun and the visual trick is effective too, somewhat reminiscent of Alex Chinneck's work. It would be interesting to see how well the cabin takes its place without the snow though, and Vardehaugen plans on returning to take more photos when summer rolls around in Norway.
The exterior of the home is clad in black-stained ore-pine, a wood known for its resistance to rot, while the interior is finished in waxed poplar veneer and measures 55 sq m (592 sq ft). This space is split between a large living room, bedroom, a ski preparation room, mezzanine, and a small annex that serves as utility room.
Owing to generous glazing, occupants can lie in the bedroom and gaze at the stars, or if the conditions are right, take in the northern lights, too.
Cabin Vindheim gets its electricity from a solar panel setup (presumably a battery bank or generator is on-hand for cloudy weather), while the kitchen includes a wood-fired oven.
The cabin was completed in January, 2016.
Source: Vardehaugen
