In 868, Floke Vilgerdsson went sailing from Norway to find what we presently call Iceland, along with his grandfather, three daughters, mother, and wife. Today, in honor of Vilgerdsson’s expedition, a trail of five timber cabins called Flokehyttene, designed by Holon Arkitektur, punctuate Norway’s coastline, offering panoramic views of the gusty North Sea and the 19th-century Ryvarden lighthouse.
Careful not to disrupt the landscape of Sveio, the five cabins were gently integrated into the rocky, seaside mass of land by drilling four holes for all the corners of each cabin where steel columns anchor the structures in place, providing guests with an up, close, and personal experience with the changing waters of North Sea. Four of the five cabins offer accommodations for five guests and the larger fifth cabin, named after Floke’s grandfather, Horda-Kåre, can sleep up to ten people and is also wheelchair accessible. The other four cabins are named after his mother Vilgjerd, daughters Geirhild and Tjogerd, and Faxe who joined Floke on his journey to the island. The sweeping, glass windows practically kiss the North Sea and make the cabins feel endlessly spacious. Inside the cabins, guests can expect plenty of sleeping arrangements, including beds in the upstairs bedroom and loft, a sofa downstairs, and cushioned benches just beneath the angled windows. In addition to all of the different sleeping arrangements, guests can enjoy getting toasty by the fireplace alongside the sea’s breeze and open water. Each cabin is also outfitted with a toilet and full-sized kitchen for visitors to enjoy and utilize at their convenience, all you’ll need are your favorite dishes to cook.
Each cabin dons a triangular shape, which provides them with the strength and flat cut to endure sharp winds and intense climate changes that are somewhat usual for the Western Norwegian coast. The shape also adds a sense of mystery to the design – from the front, only a narrow exterior can be seen which belies itself in size once you step inside it. It’s an architectural design that would almost seem like magic! Commissioned by Haugesund Tourist Association, the designers at Holon Arkitektur were able to design and construct these windswept, unwavering cabins in honor of the Vikings from time past and Norway’s long history of endurance and natural beauty.
Designer: Holon Arkitektur
