Klåva House
Location: Sweden
Architects: what! arkitektur
Area: 188 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Viktor Nilsson
Manufacturers: Troldtekt, Almedalsgolv, Schüco, Sioox, Westcoast Windows
"Klåva" is a local word from Bohuslän, used to describe something that has been split or cleaved. It also refers to the specific topographical feature on the site, a narrow ravine nestled between two ridgelines. The property lies within a nature conservation area, characterized by granite outcrops, sparse vegetation, and a more lush, protected microclimate within the ravine itself, sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds.
The architecture is guided by three main intentions: to allow the buildings to humbly defer to the landscape, to enhance the unique qualities of the green and sheltered klåva, and to capture and frame views of the sea. These principles shaped every decision throughout the design process.
What was initially envisioned as a single building was eventually divided into two volumes. This allowed the architecture to follow the natural topography more closely. The buildings are gently angled to trace the site's existing contours. A concrete retaining wall creates a level plateau for the main house and its outdoor terraces. The guesthouse is a semi-subterranean structure, accessed from the lower garden area of the ravine. Together, the buildings and walls form a linking element between the upper and lower parts of the site, connecting wind-exposed and wind-sheltered zones, barren and fertile landscapes, and large and small spatial experiences.
The volumes establish a subtle boundary between wind and lee, rough and lush, the vast seascape and the intimate garden. In the central spaces of the main house, these contrasting conditions are allowed to meet. Large glazed openings frame both the openness of the sea and the enclosed green heart of the site, inviting the landscape into the interior.
Durable and honest materials such as wood, concrete, and limestone were selected to age naturally over time. Built-in furniture is crafted in oak. The kitchen units are made of stained oak, with a custom-mixed tone that enhances the wood grain while distinguishing it from other interior elements. A close and continuous dialogue with the clients throughout the project ensured a high level of integration between architecture and everyday life, even extending to details like a custom sleeping alcove for the family dog, seamlessly built into the bedroom wardrobe system.
Rather than making a bold statement, the house quietly adapts to the site, shaped by its specific conditions and intended to coexist gently with the surrounding landscape.
