Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Nordic Architecture Special – Norway
Affordable architect-drawn homes ‘Affordable’ and ‘architect-drawn’ are two terms that typically do not go together. In fact, they tend to be mutually exclusive – but that was until Kvalbein Arkitektur entered the scene. Since its inception in 2010, the company has created stylish design homes at budget-friendly prices all over Norway. By Helene Toftner | Photos: Kvalbein Arkitektur
The Bergen-based architecture firm has become the go-to company for averageincome families who wish to live in unusual and special homes. Together with his business partner, owner Philip Kvalbein Hauge is living the dream of creating sophisticated homes for everyone. “Our aim is to create houses that are cheaper than flats of a similar size,” he says. “People tend to think that architect-drawn homes are terribly expensive, but that does not have to be the case. The way we work makes it perfectly possible for people with average salaries and lives to live in an architectdrawn home.” But how? Kvalbein Hauge says that by stripping the house down to what is actually necessary, the costs are 38 | Issue 93 | October 2016
considerably reduced. “It is far more demanding to create liveable and beautiful houses on small budgets than bigger housing projects with millions in the bank. We constantly have to think of innovative and not least sustainable solutions and materials, and by keeping it simple the prices stay low.” Characteristic of their houses is a focus on wood, an underrated material in modern architecture. “I am a carpenter first and foremost, and I love how adaptable wood is,” Kvalbein Hauge says. He describes their style as “sober roughness”, a term that fits perfectly with old Scandinavian traditions. “We draw houses based on our customers’ usage, rather than expecting people to adapt their behavior to the house,” he says.
Kvalbein Arkitektur is located in Bergen but takes on projects all over Norway. They are currently also looking beyond the borders of their home country, guided by Kvalbein Hague’s dream of building in Japan. “We have our hands busy in Norway, but we are always looking to expand our knowledge of culture, history and architecture through what we do,” he says.
For more information and inspiration, please visit: www.kvalbeinarkitektur.no