STRANDA CABINS
2016
Category: Built / On going development of modular design
Minimal mountain cabins in Strandafjellet, Norway
Stranda Cabins are a collection of currently 10 compact, flexible mountain lodges that form a mini village in the North of Norway. Development is ongoing. The mini cottages of only 30 sqm are built entirely of timber, produced offsite and delivered fully equipped and furnished as turnkey. They are installed on piles/ pilotis over rock or wooded land, in flat or steep conditions, minimizing ground disturbance and eliminating the need for concrete foundations, thus preserving the natural landscape. The lodges and their external terraces are elevated to protect against the deep winter snow.
While designed with minimal external dimensions, the rectangular cabins with a length of ten lm maximize interior space with smart, adaptable solutions with plenty of storage, perfect for year-round use. With one standard module, each cabin can be customized with various external and internal finishes, including options for wall linings, kitchen colors, and bed configurations, ensuring their own unique character.
A side shed for ski equipment or extra storage can be added next to the lodge, as well as the possibility of multiple family units consisting of the main cabin and annex for additional bedrooms. These modules can be combined freely, so that the owner can get the layout that best suits the plot and family dynamics.
The idea behind the design of the cabins was to create a smart, energy-efficient and ecologically friendly home with minimal footprint to live close to the nature for a simpler life and more personal interaction. Though traditionally built in timber, the cabins have a completely distinctive architecture that differs significantly from most cabins built in the area. The cottages combine Italian design and architecture, as well as Nordic functionalism, a healthy micro-cabin created to live in Norwegian conditions.
Good ceiling height, bright interior and large windows in the living room emphasize the feeling of being outside and enlarge the impression of the small internal space, making it feel airy and spacious. The outside terrace extends the living into nature with a pizza oven and fireplace to enjoy the sun, which does not go down until late at night. A fireplace which was installed in some of the units adds to the cozy feeling when the cabins are fully snowed in.
On 30 sqm a living room, dining area, kitchen, one bedroom and bathroom can accommodate up to 5 people in the main cabin. The central hallway allows for ski storage and snow drying cabinets. The small bedrooms, if required, can fit three beds, with the practical solution of putting the beds on top of each other. A double bed to the ground, a single bed on one wall, and a single bed above the other on the other wall. The chalet is fully electrical, with electrical heating in the living room and bathroom and optional a fireplace stove.
With stunning views of the picturesque Roaldshorn into the mountains, valley and over the fjord, these modular cabins serve as the ideal nature retreat, suitable for both winter, summer and autumn getaways in the Sunnmøre Alps.
