Knapphullet: Home on a Cliff in Norway by Lund Hagem.

Designed by Oslo-based practice Lund Hagem, Knapphullet is a small residential annex that replaces two small sheds on the cliff-side property in Norway. With a roof that folds down to touch the ground, the new building appears to be built into the rock, creating a ramp up to a viewing platform connected to the upper cliff.

The project began as an idea on how to best utilise a naturally sheltered area surrounded by large rocks and dense vegetation. The architects further developed this idea by creating a path for climbing from the shelter in order to gain visibility of the panoramic view over the sea. This approach led to the characteristic shape of the roof: a stepped ramp that leads up from the terrain to the top.

A sheltered atrium is formed by the house, and the cliffs where the concrete bench extends from the interior to the exterior tie everything together. The annex contains a suspended bed, a small living space and a bathroom. The building occupies a small footprint, but the space expands vertically into three levels: the basement, the ground floor level and the roof.

The annex is accessed via a footpath that runs along the small meandering area to the north of the site. The slit on the roof pours light into the building, while the acoustic ceiling clad in woven oak strips masks joints in the panelling, creating an illusion of a continuous surface.

Related Post: Stories On Design // Sheds, Cabins & Retreats.

[Images courtesy of Lund Hagem. Photography by Kim Muller & Ivar Kvaal.]