“Tømmertempelet,” or the "Timber Temple," is a mountain cabin in Sinnes, Norway, designed by Knut Folstad Arkitekt and completed in 2020. The project is a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Norwegian cabin architecture, with the design blending traditional timber-framing methods with a modern, minimalist aesthetic. The design of Tømmertempelet is a playful response to the "artificially traditional" winter cabins that have become common in the area. The architect aimed to create a structure that felt both deeply rooted in local tradition and also difficult to place in a specific time or context. The cabin features a strong, solid pine timber structure that is exposed on the inside and outside, becoming the building's central aesthetic feature. The main volume is lifted off the ground on concrete spot foundations, which adapt to seasonal weather and the sloping landscape. The cabin is clad with high-grade fir from a local sawmill, with an accordion-like panel on the second floor adding a dynamic element that interacts with light. The interior features pine walls and spruce floors treated with hardwax oil, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Custom-built furniture in ash was also used. Most of the cabin was built with locally sourced materials, and wood pulp was used for insulation.

The cabin is composed of two main volumes: Main Volume: This area contains a double-height living room that opens to the outdoors, a kitchen, and a sleeping loft. A diagonal line cuts through the interior, making the space feel larger than its compact size. Smaller Volume: This section contains the bathroom and toilet. The cabin’s bathroom contains a custom, rich-green aluminum sitting tub, which, according to the architect, suggests a small forest pond when filled with water. The placement of the high windows allows morning and evening light to dramatically enter the space, creating a sense of natural tranquility.

Credits

Architect: Knut Folstad Arkitekt

Lead Architect: Knut Folstad

Contractor: Kjernebygg

Photography: Knut Folstad