House Tjurpannan is a 90-square-meter black timber cabin designed by the Swedish architecture and design studio HelgessonGonzaga Arkitekter. Completed in 2022, the private weekend retreat is located within the coastal Tjurpannan Nature Reserve in western Sweden. The area is known for its austere, windswept character, and the design takes inspiration from local vernacular architecture, specifically the boathouses and jetties found in the region. The architects conceived of the cabin as a simple, rustic, and flexible base for outdoor activities. The house was built with a low-profile and dark, natural colors to help it blend into the surrounding landscape. All the exterior timber was treated with tar, a traditional preservation method that provides a beautiful matte black finish and recalls the aesthetics of the nearby boathouses. The structure is raised off the ground on concrete piers anchored directly into the rock. This approach minimizes the cabin's environmental impact on the rocky terrain and protects it from the risk of flooding. An old stone wall on the property leads to a natural path that guides visitors toward the entrance. Inside, the house continues its minimalist and rustic aesthetic. The interior is also clad in wood, but stained a dark brown to frame the nature outside. The spatial organization is derived from a structural grid of standard wooden elements, which allows for visual connections between rooms. Full-height windows and glass doors provide stunning views of the coastal reserve and offer access to narrow decks. A large canopy extends from the house, creating a sense of horizontality that anchors the structure in its context and protects the terrace from the elements. Credits Architects: HelgessonGonzaga Arkitekter (Isabell Gonzaga & Andreas Helgesson Gonzaga) Contractor: Byggtech Photography: Mikael Olsson