Home tour | A contemporary waterside cabin in Denmark

I can never resist sharing new projects from Norm Architects, as they’re always so beautiful – perfect examples of architecture and interior design in total harmony. Their latest – Fjord Boat House in Denmark – is no exception, and it’s brimming with inspiration.

Built as a peaceful retreat and occasional guest house, it sits on the shore of one of the fjords which straddle the Danish-German border and takes the form of a contemporary cabin. The exterior is covered in black cladding and topped with a sedum roof, while the raw-concrete base is adorned with vines which, over time, will grow and blend into the surrounding greenery. Large picture windows and sliding glass doors make the most of the watery views, as does a terrace reached via stairs which lead down through the house.

Handmade ceramic-brick floors extend throughout the interior and create a gently rustic feel. They’re offset by lots of clean lines, a smooth wooden ceiling and wood-panelled walls concealing hidden storage. They also work perfectly with the built-in timber kitchen, whose sleek handleless cupboards hide away any clutter.

The furniture and accessories mix Scandinavian and Japanese influences to enhance the sense of calm. Many of the pieces, including the dining table and chairs, stem from Norm Architects’ ongoing collaboration with Japanese furniture manufacturer Karimoku and have beautifully elegant yet simple forms. The metal and wood coffee table, meanwhile, was inspired by Norm’s travels to the island of Shikoku in southern Japan and by the work of Japanese-American woodworker, architect and designer George Nakashima. Called ‘Koku’, it plays on balance and proportion, with one side appearing much lighter and more transparent than the other without losing any strength.

The minimalist aesthetic is softened by plenty of earthy tones, organic shapes and natural textures, including stoneware vases and a fluffy sheepskin-covered ‘Little Petra’ chair, designed by renowned Danish architect Viggo Boesen all the way back in 1938 and now produced by &tradition. The oversized paper-covered lamps also contribute to the warm atmosphere – some come from Norm Architect’s ‘Hashira’ collection for Menu, while others were developed for recent Swedish project The Archipelago House in conjunction with Karimoku and 220-year-old Kyoto lantern producer Kojima Shouten.

The most innovative spaces in the cabin are the two bedrooms, which occupy intimate alcoves burrowed into the slope of the land. They were inspired by boat berths and are both very small, but they look wonderfully cocooning. What’s more, the minimal furnishings – nothing other than mattresses and black ‘AJ’ wall lamps (another iconic Danish design) – mean the focus stays entirely on the fantastic green views through the skylights overhead.

All in all, it looks like the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature. I can just imagine waking up to see sunlight dancing in the leaves above, then padding outside for a coffee on the terrace as sailboats glide past. Wouldn’t that be the dream…?

Photography by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm Architects