‘Copper was chosen for its durability – particularly close to the sea and with air salinity – but also for its permanence, quality and beauty’
Set on the Lyngen peninsula – a protected heritage area well within the Arctic Circle and one of Norway’s National Parks – Aurora 2.0 is the second Nordic Copper clad project in the area designed by Snorre Stinessen Architecture, applying a gentle approach to the site and respecting nature.
The project is a private retreat for the client, friends and family – and, at the same time, a peaceful, remote workplace for client and business colleagues. The program demanded a particular focus, not only on spending quality time together but also on moments of solitude. The spread-out complex of buildings ensures both complete privacy and also optimises the experience of nature in all its forms at the foot of the beautiful Lyngen Alps.
Lightweight Pavilions
This design approach also served to preserve existing trees and vegetation on the site, taking a light-touch with discrete, lightweight pavilions. All the buildings are raised well above the ground, enabling the natural terrain underneath to continue receiving sufficient daylight, water and air, and live more or less undisturbed. This also creates the experience of ascending to elevated private viewing positions in the landscape. All of the volumes close up completely with copper-clad ‘drawbridges’ when not in use.
The main building is organized around a central entrance, with covered outdoor fireplace. This leads to the kitchen, dining room and lounge on the north side, with a library and master bedroom around an open fireplace on the south side. A concealed entrance through the library leads to a comfortable bathroom and wardrobe. Then, three separate study-bedroom suites nearby were conceived as independent ‘pods’, poised above the terrain and positioned for optimal views and privacy. Each interior is fitted-out with custom furniture, including a complete fold-out workstation, and the sloping surfaces of each bathroom create a private sanctuary.
Nordic Brown Enwrapped
Each building enjoys generous, seamless glazing, orientated for optimum daylight and views through the trees to the sea, but also of the sky and aurora borealis. Apart from glazing and some timber details, the angular buildings are fully enwrapped with Nordic Brown copper, enabling lightweight structures and minimal intervention to the natural surroundings. Bearing in mind the extreme climate, the copper is carefully detailed and executed to ensure complete weather-tightness of all external surfaces – including the undersides of the buildings.
For Aurora 2.0, Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper was selected, contrasting with the Nordic Green of the earlier lodge nearby. Snorre Stinessen explained: “Copper was chosen for its durability – particularly close to the sea and with air salinity – but also for its permanence, quality and beauty. The fact that it’s a natural material and, of course, 100% recyclable are for me important factors – and certainly longevity is crucial. Aurora 2.0 is built in fairly close proximity to the original Aurora Lodge, only on a higher plateau and amongst the trees not on the seashore. So the building forms and materials create a connection between the two lodges – but at the same time show a distinct contrast highlighting the differing natural surroundings”.
For information on the Nordic Green Aurora Lodge, read more>>
