Village School House
Situated in one of the best preserved traditional Danish villages north of Copenhagen, adjacent to both forest, meadow and close to the charming coast overlooking the isle of Ven and the Swedish coastline, the old Village School house is a charismatic encounter.
Location
North of Copenhagen, Denmark
Photography
Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen
Category
Residential
Year
2022
On the Danish Riviera just north of Copenhagen lies an old village schoolhouse dating back to 1721, consisting of two old timbered buildings with thatched roofs, that had been rebuilt and renovated with a resulting patchwork of materials and architectural solutions throughout centuries. Now it has finally been delicately restored on the outside with the utmost respect for the old traditional building style. Meanwhile, the inside has been completely modernized and the two buildings have been united with a minimalist glass connection, inspired by the covered walkways of the nearby Louisiana Museum of Modern Art – creating a fine balance of nostalgic cottage farm and contemporary soft minimalism.
The inside of the two old houses has been completely retrofitted to provide for a functional busy modern-day life of a family with three children. The existing windows have been replaced by doors towards the garden to let natural daylight flow into the otherwise dark old houses – connecting inside and outside in a natural way. All the floors in the two houses as well as in the joining pavilion structure are united by a surface of cast magnesite, while walls are kept bright with accents of warm oak panelling and cabinets that also connect to the material choices on the first floors in both buildings.
The main vision for the project was to create a strong connection between the old houses and at the same time to re-model the interior in a way that suited the life of a contemporary family returning from ten years of city life in bustling Manhattan, combined with the rustic and rural small village charm of the historic buildings. This we achieved by combining historic and contemporary elements that were respectful of the site, had a certain tactility and simplicity that echoed the beautiful simplicity of the history within the old school.
The property consists of two protected timber farmhouses with thatched roofs set in the heart of the village and within a large cottage garden with big old trees, telling stories of timeless beauty.
The hall features a characteristic floating staircase that springs from the wall in white plaster and natural oak – and zigzags its way to the first floor common tv-room.
The main vision for the project was to create a strong connection between the old houses and at the same time to re-model the interior in a way that suited the life of a contemporary family returning from ten years of city life in bustling Manhattan, combined with the rustic and rural small village charm of the historic buildings. This we achieved by combining historic and contemporary elements that were respectful of the site, had a certain tactility and simplicity that echoed the beautiful simplicity of the history within the old school.
In the main house, a bespoke kitchen by Kolon has been installed, serving as a calm space for the family to gather around meals. Stretching from end of the room to the other, it fits seamlessly into the existing architecture, while hiding necessary practicalities of a kitchen space. Built entirely in oak, the knobs in brass as well as the countertop in stone serve as a reinforcement of the strong connection with the nature outside the windows –the natural environment is our primordial home and our senses and psychology have been attuned to its elements. By working with natural materials and colors we create spaces and furniture that engage with our ancient aesthetic preferences – that feel good, look good and that last.
The practical appliances of the kitchen are integrated in a way that serve them justice as beautiful and functional elements. In choosing brass for the sink, we create a coherence throughout the space, while making sure that the material will only grow more beautiful as time passes and it patinates naturally.
In the new bathroom, we covered the walls in Clayworks to create a calm atmosphere resembling that of nature. The sustainable clay plaster is made from Tadelakt; an ancient and exquisite Moroccan decoration technique that is characterized by its high resistance to water. It’s a completely natural material as the base is a specially hydrated lime obtained from the limestone of marine sediments found in the surroundings of Marrakech.
Back in 2015, we created a collection of simple, minimalist bathroom and home furnishings for Italian Ex.t. Inspired by Scandinavian design tradition and influenced by the atmosphere of northern landscapes, the collection expresses a spatial sense of calm and rest, where geometric purity, simple naturalness and sober authenticity coexist in a perfect balancing act. Still relevant today, the bathtub design now stands proud and completes the newly renovated sanctuary-like bathroom.
Through a restrained selection of neutrals, we invite the eye to discover the subtle nuances of each hue – sharpening an appreciation of a deceptively ‘minimal’ palette. When removing unnecessary clutter, we allow for the inherent qualities of natural materials to become ever more present and create a calm atmosphere that resonates with us on a deeper level.
Serving as kitchen cabinets for extra storage, a bespoke staircase built in oak gives character to the open space plan, connecting the kitchen, entrance, dining area and living area.
