A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design Goes to Jaeren Residential Apartment by Gudbjorg Simonsen

The Work

Project

Jaeren Residential Apartment

Function

Residential Apartment

Category

Interior Space and Exhibition Design

Discipline

Spatial Design

Industry

Architecture and Packaging & Retail

Colors

Black, Dim Gray, Dark Gray, Gray and Dark Slate Gray

Images

5

Client

Gudbjorg Simonsen AS

The Recognition

Laureate

Gudbjorg Simonsen

Country

Norway

Recognition

A' Design Award

Edition

2022 - 2023

Design ID

#144719

Credits

Team

Byggelaget, Treprosjekt, Bryne stein, Haaland mur og flis, Siemens, Sig. Halvorsen, Lie ventilasjon, Senab Eikeland, Expo Nova, Via montasje, Magu design and Time elektro

Image Credits

Photographer: Arne Bru Haug

Design Details

Unique Properties

First, it felt important to establish a connection with local materials, to the roots of the childhood environment. The raw, natural materials reinterpreted but converted to a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Secondly; designer open the facade with windows from floor to ceiling, allowing the outside to come in. She let nothing stand in front of the windows, but by adding curated elements inside she created an intimate space. Finally; the grandparents had a grand fireplace. She wanted to pay tribute to the memories and created the new fireplace just as grand, designing the living area around it to re-establish an emotional connection.

Inspiration

This story begins at Jaeren, a small area on the west coast of Norway known for its beautiful beaches. The landscape in Jaeren is low and flat only divided by its signature «steingarder» - stone fences made built by hand. The weather conditions are harsh and constantly changing, resulting in a mistful light - a natural phenomenon that has been a source of admiration admired by artists for centuries. The client had bought his grandparents apartment. Living elsewhere, he wanted to stay in his childhood favorite spot when visiting friends and family.

Research

Designer started by researching local materials. Stone has been an important element in the project – it is repeated in every room. She has also used a great deal of wood. She finds that the effect of the climate on wood in the local surroundings adds something unique to the project. Designer has searched for materials that change over time without needing to be replaced, but instead give a sense of permanence. Allowing it to change with new life. New use. As life across generations. She searched for sculptural light fixtures. A groove surface glass is meant to represent the sunlight breaking though the clouds.

Challenge

Designer has a strong aspiration to design and fulfill her clients ’own desires of a good home. This was the most challenging part of the project, as she never met her client. Still, she hopes she has managed to accomplish this by finding inspirations in her clients ’roots. A new home which treasures the memory of the grandparents but also represents the new owner and his personality, combining functional spaces with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Realization and Technology

Designer wanted to create harmony and repetition in a way that each room enhances the other. She has tried to keep the overall impression raw, avoiding decorative overload. Instead allowing the lighting to have both a function and a decorative meaning. She used lighting in new ways and put the pendants to use as art-installation. The light in Jaeren is beautiful and she wanted to reflect that in the interior. The overall color palette is quite dark. Feeling very intimate. The sober tone of the interior is contrasted with a splash of color form a fresh green velur repeated in different pieces of furniture.

Operation and Interaction

It was necessary to create a new layout, her client’s lifestyle is different from his grandparents. Designer thought a lot about what was needed to establish an emotional connection, since she proposed a new clean layout. The grandparents had a grand fireplace, she wanted to keep the memories of this and created the new fireplace just as grand. The fireplace is an important element in Scandinavian design and in earlier times it was essential in our harsh environment to keep them warm. But now it's only for emotional "hygge". The new fireplace is visible from all living area and creates a warm atmosphere. The project started in january 2021 and completed in june 2022 in Jaeren.

Project Duration and Location

The project started in january 2021 and completed in june 2022 in Jaeren. Designer has tried to amplify the idea of her clients roots by using local craftsmen that knows the natural materials from Jæren. Whom also pays particular attention to details.

Specifications

Visitors are greeted in the hall. The lounge and kitchen are next to each other, allowing room for friends, family and fun. The kitchen is designed as a bar, an island with barstools and a back wall with glasses on display. The back wall in corian is curved reflecting the curved sofa opposite allowing it to be an intimate space between the two zones. It's designed to be lived in and enjoyed. The dining table continue the curved shape, allowing guests to feel embraced. The master suite has a gable that repeats the shape of the kitchenwall. Its curved shape cladded in leather brings a cozy feeling.

Keywords

Penthouse, Jaeren, Lighting, Stonework, raw, natural, scandinavian interior