This Swedish Retreat Fuses Scandinavian Vibes With Traditional Barn-Like Style
Set amidst pine trees in a forest near the sandy white beaches of the Southeastern Swedish province of Scania, "Summerhouse Sandby" is a minimalist wood-paneled summer retreat designed for a family of four by the Lund-based firm Johan Sundberg Arkitektur. The wood-paneled home exudes contemporary Scandinavian minimalism, yet it also encompasses the vernacular traditions of local farmhouse construction.
The modern gable construction is a riff on historic building traditions in the region.
The exterior of the home—including the wooden deck and pergola—is clad in Siberian larch that has been treated with a silicon–based sealant to protect it from the salty sea breezes. The angled roof utilizes the same material, with the panels arranged in an overlapping pattern.
The light-colored larch and expanses of glass provide the home with a natural vibe, while also helping to integrate it into its sylvan setting.
"Its materiality is more closely related to the barns of the past than to the conventional Scanian farmhouses," explains the architect.
"The home is in dialogue with traditionally constructed rural houses. With its wood-clad façades and roof, its materiality is more closely related to the barns of the past than to the conventional Scanian farmhouses. In its design and detail, however, the house is unmistakably contemporary and modern," explains Sundberg.
The deck and pergola appear to be a natural extension of the home.
The roof's overhang also employs paneled Siberian larch.
The use of larch extends into the 1,797-square-foot interiors. The living areas are divided into two levels.
The master bedroom and bathroom are located on the ground floor—along with a generous dine-in kitchen and a living room—while the top floor contains two children’s rooms, a bathroom, and a common room, which could easily be converted into a third bedroom.
Sliding glass doors allow the kitchen and living room to be fully opened to the deck, creating a seamless integration between the interior and exterior space.
Shop the Look
The dine-in kitchen and living area are divided by a double-sided fireplace and chimney.
Large windows and skylights provide ample natural light, which is reflected off the larch interiors and white ceilings.
The skylights and light color palette allow the home to boast a bright and airy feel.
All of the rooms on the upper level have skylights.
Project Credits:
Architect of Record: Johan Sundberg
Associate Architect: Max Germundsson
Structural Engineer: SG Svensson AB, Sven-Göran Svensson
Building Contractor: Bygg AB, Morgan Ristmägi, Mikael Hermansson, Helge Johnssons
Interior woodwork: Malmö kök & inredning
Photography: Markus Linderoth
Published
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