mork-ulnes architects' skigard hytte cabin documented in new film

in 2019, architects casper and lexie mork-ulnes completed a mountain cabin for themselves and their children in kvitfjell, a ski resort in norway. named ‘skigard hytte’, the timber residence is perched on the ledge of a steep mountain, framing panoramic views across the landscape below. the cabin connects to the ground lightly, protecting the natural terrain and even the occasional sheep that takes refuge from the weather beneath the house. now, the home has been documented in a new short film, shown at the top of this page.

image by bruce damonte | video by juan benavides

filmed by juan benavides during the winter season, the video — complemented here with photography by bruce damonte — illustrates how the house has been designed to function as a winter retreat. after securing a 2,000 square meter site, casper and lexie mork-ulnes — who lead the oslo- and san francisco-based firm mork-ulnes architects — began to give shape to the family home they always wanted.

image by bruce damonte

the exterior cladding of the cabin is made of skigard, a quarter cut log that is traditionally laid out diagonally to form roundpole fences. while referencing rural architecture, this rough façade ensures that the cabin fits in with the rugged landscape and forested vegetation. ‘we took great care in studying the rural vernacular and analyzing local building typologies as we wanted to fully understand what their forms accomplished functionally and how they shaped the local architectural culture,’ says casper mork-ulnes.

image by bruce damonte

the architects also wanted an elevated house that connected to the ground lightly and allowed the natural terrain to remain beneath the residence. this not only maximizes daylight and views, but also means that snow cannot enter the home. ‘the land had a pathway that the animals used to cross and access the steep hillside below, which is still the path to the house,’ explains lexie mork-ulnes. ‘now the sheep stand under the house in the summer months to protect themselves from the weather.’

image by bruce damonte

the property is accessed by stairs that lead to a veranda. here, two doors lead to either the main house or the completely separate guest annex. upon entry to the main house, one finds a hallway with direct access to a mud room for removing outer layers of clothing and shoes. at the heart of the design, two floor-to-ceiling walls of glass provide the open-plan living, kitchen, and dining area with sweeping views of the region’s ever-changing scenery.

image by bruce damonte

project info:

name: skigard hytte
location: kvitfjell resort, fåvang, norway
architect: mork-ulnes architects
design team: lexie mork-ulnes, casper mork-ulnes, phi van phan, auste cijunelyte, kristina line, monica lepinska
clients: lexie and casper mork-ulnes

project size / conditioned space: 145 square meters (1,560 sqf)
parcel size: 2,148 sqm (23,120 sqf)
total cost: withheld
schematic design: 2016
construction start: summer 2017
complete: fall 2019

structural engineer: bygg konsulentene øst.
cabinetry and furniture: strønes snekkerverksted
general contractor: hafjell bygg
photography: bruce damonte
video: juan benavides
press office: image MEDIA AGENCY