Staying on the cliff edge may seem like a precarious proposition, but the Bolder Star Lodges offers a once in a lifetime experience for visitors to Norwegian Fjord. The stunning red cedar-clad cabins, designed by Norway based Snøhetta and Danish interiors company Vipp, are perched on a rugged cliff edge, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
The project was commissioned by local developer Tom Bjarte Norland.
“Initially, [Norland’s] plan was to build a series of smaller hermit huts, but he realized that this natural plot deserved something better, something daring,” Vipp CEO Kasper Egelund told industrial design magazine Yanko Design.
“We wanted to create something that would harmonize with the surrounding nature, playing on the natural shapes in the area and creating a sensation that the cabins are floating in the air, hanging over the edge of the mountain above the fjord,” added Snøhetta project lead Frank Denis Foray.
In total there are four cabins – Stylten is the largest followed by Myra, Stjerna and Eldhuseteach – and range in size from 38 to 60 square metres, all constructed from a combination of wood and concrete that was cast with aggregate from the landscape.
To ensure a unique identity for the lodges, each interior has different-coloured wood flooring and panelling.
Indeed, the design of the cabins were inspired by the natural environment, dominated by granite and slow growing pine trees, with wood and concrete provided from the site used as the primary materials for the project. The trees removed during construction were set aside to be reused for other parts of the projects – reaffirming that wood truly is the ultimate renewable!
The wood used to build the cabins is untreated red Cedar that will gray with time, to create a natural look and to blend into the rocky landscape. The Oak wood used inside was treated differently in the three smaller cabins, so visitors can have a slightly different experience when coming back – and why wouldn’t you comeback?
The use of natural materials creates a sense of warmth and familiarity, which is essential in the harsh environment of the Norwegian wilderness. The cabins are also designed to maximize the available space, making them feel more spacious and comfortable.
The design of the cabins is not only functional but designed to fully immerse hikers in the nature surrounding the fjord. The cabins are shaped like boulders, offering a tribute to the rugged landscape in which they are situated. The design is both practical and aesthetic, as the cabins blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings while providing a comfortable and functional living space.
Staying on the cliff edge may not be for everyone, but the Snohetta Bolder Star Lodges offer a unique and unforgettable experience for those seeking adventure. The cabins’ use of materials and unique design create a sense of harmony with the untamed environment, while the cosy and warm interior provides a home away from home. It’s like living on the edge, but with all the comforts of modern living.
- With extracts from Forbes Magazine, World Architecture, Snøhetta, Yanko Design and Dezeen Magazine.
