Dalarö House | Olson Kundig

Located in one of Stockholm’s prime holiday destinations, Dalarö House creates a cozy summer retreat that is sensitive to the surrounding landscape. Gently nestled into the hillside, the home is approached from above via a flagstone pathway, acting as a waypoint in the journey to the water and docks below.

The home’s core volume encompasses a great room and open kitchen, with bedrooms and bathrooms occupying either end of the bar. Here, oak floors, casework and ceilings complement exposed concrete walls and add to the feel of a weathered beach house. Clerestory windows invite natural light deep into the home to foster a bright interior experience. Residential storefront glazing offers panoramic views of the rocks and water below and enables the dining room to spill onto the terrace, embracing an easy flow between indoor and outdoor living areas. A feature concrete wall, unique for this region, anchors one side of the great; the mass of the wall flows from exterior to interior and back outside, framing an outdoor shower as well as interior and exterior fireplaces. 

A natural outcropping of granite frames and embraces Dalarö House, with part of the home tucked into this formation. Hardscaping surrounds and intersects with the rock, making it as much a part of the experience as the prospect views. Ties to the landscape are further strengthened by the extensive use of natural elements, such as pine siding with a traditional Scandinavian finish and a green roof.

Dalarö House shares its property with the historic Strindberg Cottage, the one-time residence of Swedish writer and painter Johan August Strindberg. Although the structures speak different architectural languages, the entry sequence of Dalarö House echoes the color of the cottage. Known as falun red, this local pigment is used throughout the region’s villages and homes. The west wing of the new home was also shifted back to create a corner window, framing a south-facing view of the historic cottage.

Lead Architects: Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA

Design Principal: Chris Gerrick

Project Manager: Eric Druse, LEED® AP

Project Architect: Elisa Renouard and Annie Aldrich

Photography: Magnus Mårding (https://www.magnusmarding.com/)