Writers Cottage 2 Is Jarmund/Vigsnæs’ Second Retreat For Authors

writers cottage 2

The Writer’s Cottage 2 is Jarmund/Vigsnæs Architects’ second such cabin created as an additional workspace to a private home. The first was built in 2008 in Asker, Norway. This one was just completed in June 2015 and is located in Oslo. It is slightly smaller than the first and built for two professionals in a suburban residential area.

Writers Cottage 2

JVA writer's cabin 2d

After construction, the cottage – or garden atelier as JVA refers to it – was painted in black piano lacquer.

Before paint:
cottage unpainted 2

before black paint

The architect stands looking at the black lacquered cottage:
piano black laquered writer's cottage2

The cottage in relation to the main house:
writers cottage 2 in relation to houseThe architect’s description:
This small annex is located in the garden of two professionals in a suburban residential area. The clients wanted a space that would allow them to isolate themselves to focus on their writing and work, while at the same time offering a generous view over the surroundings. Their intention was that the project would work as an alternative to a cottage in the countryside.

JVA writer's cabin 2b

JVA writer's cabin mezzanine window

The project is located at the edge of a north-facing slope towards a railway station, with dense shrubs below and on either side. To maximize the view, the entire north facing façade consists of glass, providing ample natural light for the workspace inside:

writers cabin 2 e

JVA writer's cottage 2k

JVA writer's cottage 2l

In order to not obstruct the view, the custom desk is made completely out of glass:

writers cabin 2 i

writers cabin 2 g

writers cabin 2 j

All of this makes the space seem lifted above the surrounding landscape. The project rises in height towards the south, in order to reach above the neighbor’s hedge and allow direct sunlight to flow in to the interior.

writers cabin 2 h

Architecture students studying the cottage in Oslo (photo source):
students exploring the writer's cottage

The south elevation is narrow, to avoid too much sunlight that could disturb the workplace, and provide privacy. The shape of the building is a result of the shift from the wide and low north elevation to the tall and narrow south elevation. Volumes containing a reading chair and a mezzanine protrude from the main volume.

Architectural plans:
JVA writer's cottage 2 plans aJVA writer's cottage 2 plans b

Location: Oslo, Norway
Building type: Annex
Client: Arne H. Krumsvik and Turid Urke
Size : 15 m² (161.5 square feet)
Contractor: Ing. Gunnar Johansson AS
Primary architects : Einar Jarmund, Håkon Vigsnæs, Alessandra Kosberg, Martin Blum Jansen
photos by Jonas Adolfsen

Jarmund/Vigsnæs