Shared traditions
This Danish holiday home is built using artisanal techniques common to both Scandinavia and Japan, creating an aesthetic that values the minimal and the modest
This Danish holiday home is built using techniques common to both Scandinavia and Japan
Dining area The table from Genbyg is teamed with ‘Søborg’ chairs by Danish designer Børge Mogensen, from Fredericia. The ceramics on the table are from Roxy Klassik (try Scandinavian Design Center for similar pieces or Wagumi for Japanese designs) Stockist details on p202 ➤
ime seems to have magically stood still on the island of Læsø,
an idyll off the northeast coast of the beautiful Jutland Peninsula in Denmark. Here, concealed by pine forests and overlooking the ocean, is New Seaweed House. Built using artisanal techniques, this home is every bit as enchanting as its natural surroundings.
Architect Søren Nielsen of Vandkunsten Architects used larch as a framework for the building, which was then covered in seaweed, reviving an ancient island building method. ‘Traditional Danish rural houses have strong similarities to Japanese architecture,’ Søren says. ‘ You can see a synergy if you look at the Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto, where half-timbered walls, clay and reed – or seaweed, in our case – are the main building materials.’
All of the rooms in the house are arranged around an open-plan living space. The expansive double-height ceiling is padded, which has the effect of softening the Swedish pine walls and floorboards. White linen panels are stuffed with seaweed, cotton and fire-retardant ammonium salt, and their gentle curves help to naturally diffuse the light that seeps into the space through large skylights. Twin bedrooms and bathrooms, with sleeping lofts above, bookend this central space. ‘ We applied Nordic Modernist principles to the design of the house, with an emphasis on craftsmanship,’ says Søren. ‘There is a tension between the strict modular geometry and the raw materials. Danish Modernism is deeply influenced by the Japanese aesthetic – it is similarly minimal and modest, with structural and material honesty.’
The furniture throughout is Scandinavian, which lends a contemporary edge to the scheme. Yet, the look is sparse – a simple daybed sits in the living space, a larch-topped island defines the kitchen, and a large dining table creates a formal eating area. Comfort and wellbeing were carefully considered when building this home, and several nooks provide opportunities for quiet. ‘Modern architecture is too masculine. It is dominated by hard materials, geometry and precision, which does not reflect human nature,’ Søren says. ‘Here, we have struck a balance, adding softness through materials, while the understated decor creates a connection with nature.’ vandkunsten.com
The furniture throughout New Seaweed House is Scandinavian, which lends a contemporary edge to the simple pine wood walls and floors