LOCATION: SAND MALANGEN, TROMS, NORWAY

ARCHITECT: SNORRE STINESSEN

PHOTOS: TERJE ARNTSEN (NORWAY) & STEVE KING (USA)

The Challenge:

Located well above the Arctic Circle; temperatures in Malangen can drop down to -30C degrees during the winter months. So the biggest challenge when building and planning on this site was of course the elements. Another major consideration for Malangan retreat was staving off cabin fever during the epically long stretches of exceptionally cold weather.

“It was important to the clients that all guests could enjoy a relaxed atmosphere that offers both social interaction, and a sense of privacy,” explains project lead, Snorre Stinessen. “The organization into individual volumes ensures that you can have visitors for longer periods without feeling overwhelmed by it. Furthur, in this climate it was also very important that the retreat not only connects to the outdoors, but also offers inviting spaces for indoor activities.”

The building material for this project had to offer the highest thermal insulation value, enough to content with 6,5kN per sqm snow loads and, as with all projects a beautiful appearance– Stinessen considered Western Red Cedar the obvious choice.

All the cedar was sourced through sustainable forestry and chosen for its durability and longevity, explains Stinessen.

Malangen Retreat at Dusk