NORRØN completes a contemporary reinterpretation of a traditional danish farmhouse

amid the rolling landscape of rural denmark, NORRØN has added a modern twist to traditional farmhouse living. called ‘åstrup have’, the striking new building is divided between accommodation for the residents who live there and culinary facilities for visiting guests. the design draws from the region’s vernacular architecture and concepts 
of biodynamic food production and farm to table dining. 

images by torben eskerod, courtesy of NORRØN

the farmhouse is composed of four volumes organized around a central patio. each volume is constructed from raw concrete panels with brass-filled delation joints laid out as a thin grid in the façade. resembling a golden relief carved into the raw panels of concrete, the brass-fillings soften the building, and as such resonates with local vernacular where metal fillings and objects once were embedded in the old façades and served as generous additions to the regional building culture. when hit by light, a fragile shadow play appears, resulting in a stark, yet atmospheric contrast between the raw and the refined.

as a homage to local, schleswig tradition, the steep roof unfolds as a thatched structure and a binding tissue joining the concrete body beneath. the roof is inspired by the traditional haubarg buildings of the region. characteristic to these is that they were all equipped with steep roofs, allowing for the storage of large quantity of hay that simultaneously gave the thatched roofs a long life span as falling water would quickly divert at the steep angle. the characteristic cutting of the roof pro le also allows for solar panels, ventilation, chimneys, skylights, and modern technology to be immersed, resulting in a clean, yet discrete expression.

the functional program of the building is partly divided between residential spaces, and partly culinary facilities with associated programs. each of the four legs is dedicated to each of their corresponding programs. towards the north, the building consists of a garage and a workshop. facing east, a guest wing where units of spartan decorated monk’s cells appear. the main programs of the building, the culinary facilities, are distributed towards the west and consist of production and educational spaces, a kitchen and a food distribution area. supporting the guest and production facilities, is the main house with small living units and an orangery located in the southern leg of the building.

the interior spaces are composed as a series of diverse spaces, varying in height and size, and throughout the building, a sacred and harmonized atmosphere has been sought. in addition, an oak-covering interior upholstery spanning from the ceiling, via circulation and staircase furniture to window details, adds a coherent finish and natural warmth to the interior.

project info:

project name: åstrup have

location: haderslev fjord, denmark

architecture firm: NORRØN

photography: torben eskerod

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edited by: lynne myers | designboom