A contemporary log cabin in the Swedish mountains. A ski lodge for winter, as well as for all the other seasons. Rooted in (but not a disciple of) the local building traditions of its Dalarna region. The lodge’s open views look out on to a landscape that shifts dramatically over the year.

Traditional log cabins are robust but do not meet today’s energy and insulation standards. Solid heavy planks of local wood are here used in a much similar way to logs. The wood is visible both to the outside (tar vitriol treated) and inside (un-treated). However, the walls have a core gap which is filled on-site with same-wood shavings as insulation. This constitutes the full construction, completely in wood, perfectly insulated, breathing and without any diffusion barrier plastics or large carbon footprint mineral wool. Even the roof is wood (planks over tar paper). In fact, the house is in itself a carbon sink.

Because of heavy snow during winters, the roof is sturdy construction, with long overhanging eaves. Architecturally this is used as a feature – and not something to hide. Highlighted by the diagonal ‘trim-away’ from one side of the roof at each gable end,  creating both a brake in the overall symmetry, and strategically allowing sunlight to reach longer inside.

The lodge is divided in an east-west central nave with adjoining parallel, closed aisles to the north and south. The nave is completely glazed at each end, inviting a sense of continuation to the outdoors. With full ceiling height, here are all communal functions, such as living, kitchen, dining and fireplace. The two bedrooms are in two diagonally opposing corners. Both with one side completely glazed. The other two corners are porches, one by the main entrance and the other as an outdoor dining place. Inside the closed sections in-between are entrance hall, bathrooms, laundry and storage.

The main house is complemented by two smaller buildings, a carport/shed and a sauna.