In 2020, Snøhetta, local entrepreneur Tom Bjarte Norland and Danish interior brand Vipp started working on a project which grew out of the desire to create an authentic experience, where nature plays a major part. Named The Bolder, four cabins have now been built on the edge of Lysefjorden on the Norwegian west coast, aiming to blend in with the landscape and with a minimal footprint on the surrounding nature. They are lifted above ground on large concrete pillars and have glass facades for guests to appreciate the natural surroundings from inside their private cabin and to bring the outdoors inside. The guests are offered unobstructed views over the fjord and mountains filled with Bonsai-like pine trees and boulders left by the glaciers when the ice age came to an end thousands of years ago.
— The cabins are lifted over the ground to create a weightless feeling on the edge of the spectacular, steep mountain sides, diving down into the clear blue fjord. The goal was to create a total experience for the visitors — coming back to a cosy, warm wooden nest with a spectacular panoramic view of the ever-changing weather after a beautiful day of hiking along the fjord, says Frank Denis Foray, architect, Snøhetta.
The cabins boast an upper floor with a kitchen and dining area by Vipp and a ground floor with a built-in bed and bathroom. Wood, marble, and leather are recurring materials of choice in the selection of furniture and in contrast, the concrete flooring on the lower level adds a roughness.
— We are proud to have done this project together with Snøhetta. When we were looking for someone to design these cabins in one of Norway’s most spectacular places, the choice was easy for us. Vipp has a timeless and honest elegance combined with a solid and functional refinement which is of great importance when you have guests every day. This aesthetic fits well with our concept of architecture in nature, says Tom Bjarte Norland.
The wood used to build the cabins is untreated red Cedar that will grey with time, to create a natural look and to blend into the rocky landscape, and the Oak wood used on the inside is treated differently in the three small cabins. Except for electricity powering the light and the amenities in the cabins, the site is off-grid. The Bolder project will also feature two additional constructions set to be completed within the next few years, including a lounge and a gourmet restaurant serving locally sourced food.
