swedish fishermen huts rearranged into UMA's outdoor hangout area in bua village

drawing influence from elements of local architecture, ulf mejergren architects (UMA) designed an outdoor hangout area for the youth of the bua village, situated on the swedish west coast. the project takes shape as a series of traditional huts and fishermen’s shacks, joined together in an unexpected exploded arrangement.

all images courtesy of ulf mejergren architects (UMA)

since the bua village used to be an important site for the fishing industry in the past, ulf mejergren architects (UMA) drew inspiration from the tight rows of fishermen houses that can be found at the small regional harbor. the architects used similar huts that can be purchased as flat packages at any local hardware store, but instead of putting them together according to the instructions, they decided to create something completely different. 

the walls were folded so that the traditional red facade faces the main street, and becomes a backdrop wall of a seemingly cozy row of fishermen huts. on the other side, towards the green hillside where the teenagers hang, the experience becomes completely different. the huts were basically exploded and what is meant to be the interior becomes this side’s exterior. some of the parts that were meant to be used as roofing are now transformed into benches. the studs that stabilize the facades are also used as shelves, benches, and tables. meanwhile, some of the walls have been strategically placed to serve as ramps leading up to the angled terrace, raised from the ground with slender plinths.

the elevation makes users feel as if they were sitting on a jetty, surrounded by tall wild grass. apart from being an exciting place where teenagers hang out, the project can ‘hopefully inspire the youth to put the instruction manual aside once in a while, and think freely and bravely’ UMA shares. hangout huts has been nominated the second prize in an invited competition by the municipality of varberg (varberg kommun) in southwest sweden.

project info:

name: hangout huts
architect: ulf mejergren architects (UMA)
location: bua village, sweden

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom