Skybox

Located on the north coast of Zealand, the single-storey Skybox House stands on a large, 1200 m² plot and is surrounded by trees. Its modest programme – dining/living room, small bathroom and two bedrooms – occupies a mere 75 m², but it is saved from feeling cramped by a partially raised ceiling and several skylights. These 'skyboxes' ensure plenty of natural light, as does the huge sliding window that almost turns the kitchen into an outdoor room.

Another recently completed project, the Coop House, is the outcome of a brainstorming session among four old friends who all wanted a summer house, but not on their own. The resulting shared retreat has a total area of 230 m² and consists of four small buildings grouped around a communal courtyard. One unit has two storeys and contains a kitchen, a library and a living room. Each of the three single-storey units has two bedrooms and a bathroom.

What these two projects have in common, apart from a clever spatial concept, plenty of natural light and a crisp white interior, is their boxy appearance, which is accentuated by the vertical lines of the slatted facades. The 30×30 mm oak slats have been treated with iron sulfate, which not only gives them their characteristic dark colour but also brings out the grain of the wood. The resulting colour nuances bring the facades alive. Both the Skybox and the Coop are a fine amalgamation of dedicated craftsmanship and architecture. (Hannah Schubert)