Vinhuset

Set within the gentle contours of the Swedish landscape, the transformation of Vinhuset marks the next chapter in our ongoing collaboration with Ästad Vingård – an estate where nature, craft, and hospitality intertwine. Following the creation of Restaurant ÄNG and the lakeside retreat of Sjöparken, this new project extends the dialogue between architecture and terrain, deepening the sensorial experience that has come to define the vineyard.

Location

Halland, Sweden

Photography

Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen
Karl Tranberg Knudsen

Category

Hospitality

Year

2025

With the transformation of Vinhuset, we sought to quiet the architecture – stripping away irregularities to reveal a more timeless and composed expression. As the structure is carved into a planted hillside, a series of interconnected levels, terraces, and grand outdoor staircases allow the building to shift subtly within the landscape, appearing smaller than it truly is.

The modern façade of clean lines contrasts the surrounding forest and spa buildings, while broad stairways and rhythmic railings become integral architectural gestures – drawing the eye upward, downward, and across the sweeping topography. Green roofs continue the language established in Sjöparken, tying Vinhuset into the larger estate while allowing it to also carry its own more rural, raw, and grounded identity in the new extensions as well as interiors.

At the entrance, a wooden pergola frames the arrival with a sense of calm, inviting guests to slow down even before stepping inside.

Anchoring the light and simple facade, solid timber structures infuse the architecture with warmth and a distinctly rural character – bridging the refinement of the new design with the raw beauty of its natural surroundings.

Set gently within the vineyard, Vinhuset becomes the natural heart of the estate – a place where guests gather before moving out into the wider landscape. Its clean, composed lines offer a quiet counterpoint to the organic contours of the vines and surrounding nature, allowing the building to stand out while still feeling deeply rooted in its setting.

The space is both one of transition and of immersion – a hub that connects the estate’s many offerings while holding its own distinctive presence. It expands the narrative we began with ÄNG and Sjöparken, reinforcing a shared ambition: to craft spaces that heighten awareness, invite reflection, and reconnect guests with the quiet rhythms of nature.

Within, Vinhuset becomes a choreography of atmospheres. The reception – where every stay begins – sets the tone with tactile materials, darker hues, and a comfortable acoustic shaped by brick flooring, heavy timber structures, and textured walls.

Adjacent, a small boutique houses the vineyard’s own wines, curated ceramics, and crafted objects, anchored by a long wooden counter resting on carved stone – an homage to the raw nature surrounding the estate and to the spirit of the Michelin-starred Restaurant ÄNG out on the fields of the estate.


With each project – ÄNG, Sjöparken, and now Vinhuset – our shared language with Norm has become more fluent. The red thread we wanted to carry forward was clarity of form, tactile materiality, restraint with warmth, and an honest dialogue with nature.

– Daniel Carlsson, Owner of Ästad Vingård

The guest journey is framed through a sequence of considered thresholds. The walkway to the spa wraps guests in dark timber, creating an immediate sense of immersion, preparing the senses for the wellness experience ahead.

As the first point of arrival, the reception sets the tone for the entire stay. Framed views draw the landscape inward, while warm timber, textured surfaces, and muted hues create a seamless dialogue between interior and landscape, grounding the experience in a sense of calm continuity.

A calm lounge area offers a natural place to pause and settle in. Soft light, muted tones, and generous furnishings create a gentle transition further into the building – an invitation to linger, wait, or simply take a quiet moment.

Raw stone, brick, and oak anchor the space with a quiet sense of weight and warmth. Together, they form a serene, understated backdrop that allows each object on display to emerge with simplicity and intention – while the interior itself becomes part of the exhibit, framing and elevating the crafted pieces it holds.

Sculptures of raw stone bring a quiet presence to the interior, nodding both to the surrounding landscape and to Restaurant ÄNG, where similar boulders pay tribute to the terrain. At the bar, bespoke stools crafted with Karimoku Case introduce a warm, tactile expression, while the finely slatted detailing of the counter catches the shifting light. Together, these elements create a calm atmosphere in which nature and craft meet in a subtle, harmonious dialogue.

As a living room for the estate – open, calm, and ever available – the space at Vinhuset deepens the overall guest experience at Ästad. It invites a more fluid and intuitive way of moving through the place: lingering a little longer, meeting more freely, and settling into a gentler pace.

Connected to the reception and lounge, the small boutique offers guests a tangible piece of the experience to bring home.


We created Vinhuset to be the welcoming “in-between” space our estate was missing, a place where guests can settle between experiences like dining and spa, without feeling rushed or displaced. It extends the visit from a sequence of appointments into a continuous, unbroken stay.

– Daniel Carlsson, Owner of Ästad Vingård

Throughout the building, views are carefully framed like living paintings, while a new orangery-like structure offers a full panorama over the lake and the nearby restaurant – providing an in-between space for lingering with a place for a glass of wine, a quiet morning coffee, or a moment by the fireplace.

Zones of intimacy unfold through soft textiles, semi-transparent curtains, and comfortable nooks, all balanced against the sturdiness of brick and timber.

As daylight fades, the bar shifts in character. Grazing light reveals the grain of the timber, the texture of the woven chairs, and the softness of the fabrics – bringing the material palette to life in a new way. In the evening, the space becomes more intimate, offering a warm and atmospheric setting for a quiet drink.

From Vinhuset, the journey continues along a wooden colonnade that echo the design language of Sjöparken in a more rustic iteration, offering pauses to take in the serene landscape through floor-to-ceiling windows as you move towards the outdoor spa area. On the way, a brick-clad steam room with a circular skylight becomes a moment of quiet awe.

Index

Vinhuset