Östra Kvarnskogen by Brunnberg & Forshed
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 04.23.08
My Swedish is a bit rusty so I can't say much about this project, other than it won a big prize from the Swedish wood promotion organization Skogs Inustrierna. "Östra Kvarnskogen has been constructed within a large nature reserve with sharply sloping terrain. Here, nature holds sway, and there are houses which stand partially-upported by 7m-high steel pillars as a result of the mountain’s steep slope. The man-made and the natural appear to co-exist peacefully here. Its uniqueness leads heart and mind to a tranquil state."
Photos used with permission of Skogs Intustrierna, credit Åke E:son Lindman
LOCATION
FLOTTARESTIGEN 8-80, SOLLENTUNA
BUILDING TYPE
40 HOUSES SITUATED IN A NATURE RESERVE
DEVELOPER
FOLKHEM, SVEN-HARRY KARLSSON
ARCHITECTS
BRUNNBERG & FORSHED ARKITEKTKONTOR AB,
KJELL FORSHED
CHIEF ARCHITECT
LUDMILLA LARSSON
COLLEAGUES
ÅSA SJÖSTRAND AND STAFFAN CORP
BUILDERS
LOOSTRÖM AND GELIN
BUILDING CONTRACTOR
FOLKHEM
CONSTRUCTION PERIOD
2004-2006
::Skogs Industrierna in ::Swedish and ::English via ::Architectur
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won´t these kind of buildings require people to use cars allot? I love people trying their best, so maybe I am wrong with my criticism.
but look at all the redundant cemented space underneath...
would rather have a house actually built into the hillside and no visible metal structures!
oh, CAS,
SO when you do not see the metal,the house would be greener? Metal isn't a very bad building material, you won't need a lot, won't spill a lot and is much lighter and compacter to transport.
@ cas: Looks like gravel, not concrete to me. It would let water through, but would keep the dirt under the house from eroding (weakening the structure). I wonder what they look like from the other side...cul-de-sac???
@ cas: Looks like gravel, not concrete to me. It would let water through, but would keep the dirt under the house from eroding (weakening the structure). I wonder what they look like from the other side...cul-de-sac???
@ cas & Adam W:
What you see under the houses is most certainly not concrete. A slab would serve no use there. Also, concrete slabs are poured flat.
It is probably gravel.
But a structure like that, in the mountains, would likely have it's supporting steel columns resting on the bedrock. The gravel is put down to discourage plants from growing from underneath the house, and to prevent erosion.
great...
so a space that prevents plants from growing!
would much prefer one that actually encourages plant/tree growth...
and looked attractive!
A very un-inspiring selection for this award.
The elevation addressing the forest has small windows that frustratingly limit / restrict interaction between the interior spaces and the landscape.
The scale and positioning of the "box" volume on the edge closest to the forest is architecturally clumsy.
The structure supporting the platforms is basic in the extreme. What a pity that it did not better engage with the verticallity of the forest. (Same comment applies to the orientation of the timber cladding).
The space beneath the platform is wasted - it should accommodate water storage or waste recycling facilities or mushroom-growing at the very least !!
If this scheme is the winner then either the other 204 enties must be deplorable or the competition jury should be sacked.