Located on a rocky and marshy site on the Norwegian island of Skardsøya, K21 Skardsøya is a 60-square-meter cottage completed in 2016 and designed by TYIN Tegnestue Architects. The project is a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Norwegian cottage, designed for a couple who wanted a simple retreat to maintain a close connection with nature. A remarkable feature of the project was the high degree of client involvement, with the owners doing most of the construction work themselves using spruce harvested from their own forest. The design is sensitive to the surrounding terrain, which heals slowly due to climatic factors. To minimize its impact, the structure rests on a concrete base and incorporates three different levels, which helps to lower its overall height and integrates it with the site's topography. The exterior is clad in untreated spruce, which will naturally fade over time to a silvery-gray patina, further blending the cabin with its environment. Inside, the material palette is warm and simple, continuing the wooden theme with beamed ceilings. Different ceiling heights define the living room, kitchen, and bedroom functions within the main space. The entrance is protected from the elements by a shared gallery roof. Credits Architects: Andreas G. Gjertsen and Ørjan Nyheim of TYIN Tegnestue Architects Clients and Contractors: Sissel By and Olve Aarhaug Photography: Pasi Aalto