Oslo Residence

Light as the primary building material.

Location

Oslo, Norway

Year

2025

Area

680 m²

Duration

22 months

Overview

Positioned at the edge of a birch forest outside Oslo, this villa was designed around the radical scarcity and abundance of Nordic light. In winter, the house captures every photon through south-facing glass walls; in summer, deep overhangs and birch canopy filter the midnight sun into a soft, diffused glow.

The Challenge

Norway's strict energy regulations (TEK17) demanded a near-passive house performance while the client insisted on floor-to-ceiling glazing on three facades. Reconciling thermal performance with visual openness required an innovative triple-glazed structural glass system.

Our Approach

The structural solution — a concrete core with cantilevered steel floor plates — allowed the perimeter to be entirely glazed without thermal bridging. Externally, the house reads as a pure white volume; internally, the birch forest becomes the dominant visual element in every room.

Photography

Open plan living space with white walls, concrete floor, and panoramic forest views through floor-to-ceiling glass — Open plan living — polished concrete, white plaster, forest panorama

Minimalist white kitchen with island, concrete countertop, and large window overlooking birch trees — Kitchen — Corian surfaces, concrete island, birch grove framed as artwork

Timeline

Feb – Apr 2023

Site & Brief

Site analysis including solar path studies across all seasons, energy modelling, and client brief development.

Solar analysis reportEnergy conceptClient brief

May – Aug 2023

Concept Design

Development of the concrete core / cantilevered steel plate structural concept and glazing strategy.

Structural conceptGlazing specificationConcept drawings

Sep 2023 – Jan 2024

Design Development

Detailed thermal modelling, structural engineering, and interior material specification.

TEK17 compliance reportStructural drawingsInterior specification

Feb – Nov 2024

Construction

Construction in two phases: concrete core and steel structure, followed by glazing installation and interior fit-out.

Completed structureGlazing installationInterior completion

Jan 2025

Completion

Handover, commissioning of passive house systems, and publication photography.

Client handoverSystems commissioningPhotography

Team

Principal Architect

Elena Vasquez

Elena led the design concept, developing the structural glazing strategy that defines the villa's relationship with the Nordic landscape.

Project Architect

Lars Eriksen

Lars specialises in Nordic passive house design and led the energy compliance strategy, ensuring TEK17 certification without compromising the glazing vision.

Interior Design Lead

Ingrid Holm

Ingrid curated the monochromatic interior palette — white plaster, polished concrete, and bleached oak — that amplifies the forest light within.

Recognition

Scandinavian Architecture Prize 2025 — Residential Category

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