Just 20 minutes from the town of Odda, through the steep Norwegian hills, there is something magical on the edge of the fifth longest fjord on Earth.
These are two houses suspended in front of the Norwegian fjord, among the trees, 5 and 6 meters above the forest floor, fixed with steel belts to the individual trunks of two living pines.
The Norwegian fjord houses, known as Woodnest, were created by Helen & Hard Architects in response to the topography and conditions of the wonderful site that hosts them. A piece of jewelry set up for a client who wished to have a deeper connection with nature.
The Norwegian fjord as you have never seen it before
Completed in 2020, each tree house it is connected to the land by a small wooden bridge. Each of the two hanging houses measures only 15 square meters, and is built with great care around the central trunk.
There are four distinct sleeping areas, a bathroom and an open kitchen and living room, plus stunning views across the forest to the water of Hardangerfjord, the Norwegian fjord below. In the distance the gaze is lost towards the magnificent, almost mystical mountains.
Culture and Nature
According to the architects, the use of wood as a building material is inspired by the Norwegian cultural tradition of using wood in architecture along with the desire to experiment with the material's potential.
The structures of the houses suspended over the Norwegian fjord are supported by the tree trunk and a series of laminated wood ribs, while the "scales" of untreated natural wood help to create a sort of protective skin around the inhabited volume.
Over time, the wood will integrate and stabilize, further blending into the woodland environment.
With their large windows that wrap around the entire building and overlook the Norwegian fjord, the houses suspended in the trees are a tangible dream.
A place that allows people to slow down and appreciate the true natural beauty that surrounds them, without the distractions that come from a contemporary vacation rental.
