Våghus
The project was shortlisted in the Microhouse competition.
The Våghus concept delves into the inquiry of how to make homes more sustainable. It is designed with the principle of using locally sourced materials, instead of virgin materials, utilizing upcycled materials from various waste sources. This approach not only makes the Våghus concept globally applicable but also emphasizes the vast potential of upcycled materials and circular design thinking. In exploring these ideas, the project addresses two key challenges.
Firstly, it confronts the reality that the majority of modern materials, such as plastic, pose significant environmental threats when discarded, highlighting the urgent need to stop the production of new materials and to start reusing waste materials that are abundant globally.
Secondly, the Våghus concept grapples with the question of how to infuse architectural design with aesthetic value while incorporating these upcycled materials. By doing so, this concept endeavours to offer innovative solutions that balance environmental responsibility with artistic expression.
Situated on the border between nature and a small fishing village in southern Sweden, Våghus adapts to the existing natural and built environments. It is strategically positioned on higher ground where the terrain rises quickly from the sandy beach and meets a patch of pine trees, providing a view of the sea and village below. This elevated location not only offers exceptional views but also ensures that the house receives sunlight for as long as possible during the short winter days.
Raised above the terrain with piles instead of a concrete foundation, it respects the natural site, which can be restored to its original state if the house were to be removed.
The house’s form is simple and does not seek to stand out; rather, it aims to blend in with the traditional Falu red façade made from upcycled Kingspan sandwich panels, resembling classical Swedish wooden facades constructed from vertically oriented and overlapping planks. The interior, on the contrary, aims to inspire inhabitants with its strong aesthetic expression, in the form of a wave-like canopy ceiling made from recycled plywood sheets.
