Retired oil executives Håvard Roethe and Anne Karin Borlaug turned a derelict cliff‑side plot in Norway’s Ryfylke region into a pine‑clad fjordside holiday home that blends into the surrounding forest.
From abandoned cottages to a mountain‑shelf retreat
The property at Vierveien 184 had sat unused for three decades, its two old houses and an annex in a state of disrepair. “The place hadn’t been used for 30 years and was in a really terrible condition,” Anne Karin said, adding that the neglect was part of its appeal.
Access is only by stairs.
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Norwegian planning rules discourage new construction along the fjord, but they do encourage the replacement of existing structures if the new build meets strict environmental standards. To satisfy those rules, architect Katrine Grimnes designed a replacement on a mountain shelf, supported by concrete pillars so that the ground beneath remained untouched.
Because cutting trees for a road was prohibited, all building supplies had to be delivered by helicopter. Over several weeks, choppers dropped natural pine lumber from a local sawmill, along with other materials, onto the narrow ledge. This method is common in Norway’s remote areas, where rugged terrain limits conventional transport.
All‑pine construction and minimal footprint
The cottage consists of a main living wing linked to a bedroom wing through an atrium. Every interior surface—walls, ceilings, floors—is pine, and the aluminium roof of the atrium is perpetually layered with pine needles that fall from the surrounding trees. Positioned slightly higher than the former dwellings, the new structure faces west, offering unobstructed views of the fjord while remaining concealed, a requirement of the municipality.
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Inside, the design lets the surroundings dominate. “We haven’t needed to hang many pictures – the views are enough,” Anne Karin noted, though she chose a blue palette reminiscent of the water below, and underfloor heating combined with a wood‑burner keeps the interior comfortable through Norway’s cold winters.
“It’s very satisfying to use natural material to create something that is new, but that has belonged here throughout the ages,” Håvard said, reflecting on the continuity between the old and the new.
In many ways, the project mirrors earlier efforts to preserve Norway’s cultural heritage while adapting to modern needs. Like the historic stave churches that were rebuilt using traditional timber techniques after fires, this cottage demonstrates how contemporary owners can honor ancient building customs without compromising on today’s comfort standards.
