The apartment is located in Stavanger, a coastal city on the west coast of Norway. It occupies the entire top floor of a beautiful apartment building, with a spacious terrace on three sides. The view is stunning and diverse. To the northeast, you can see the coastline and fjord landscape, to the east lies an established residential area with the Ryfylke Mountains in the background, and to the southwest, there is a green park with large beautiful trees.
The owners had lived here for 3 years but were not entirely comfortable with the layout or the atmosphere of the apartment. The changes I proposed led to extensive structural improvements. It was important to define and separate the zones within the interior. The solution was anchored in classical proportions but without becoming a classical interior. I aimed to promote mobility and openness. Walls were removed to open up to the beautiful view, but elements like room dividers and pivot doors were also added to create clearer zones. Every part of the floor plan was considered and adapted to the overall concept.
In this project, the external terrace also plays an important role. Over the years, the owners had created a beautiful green oasis here. I wanted the interior to connect with the lush vegetation on the terrace, where the green plants and pergola create intimate outdoor spaces. Therefore, I added wooden ceilings with sturdy beams in selected areas. These wooden ceilings enhance the sense of zones in the open floor plan, connect spatial elements, and recreate the intimate feeling of pergolas. I focused on creating a pleasing rhythm in the interior, and together with planned sightlines, the wooden ceilings frame the view and bring it into the interior.
I also placed great emphasis on creating an atmosphere that would make the residents feel connected to and touched by the architecture. Natural light and shadows now play a vital role in creating a dynamic and atmospheric ambiance. I chose a color and material palette in warm tones and used natural materials such as wood and stone to establish a calm and timeless foundation. Floral elements were also introduced through wallpapers and carvings to bring in elegant hints of the plants on the terrace. I was dedicated to creating both functional and aesthetic details to provide a holistic experience that resonated with my clients' hearts.
«Appealing to our deepest humanity, it penetrates the very heart of ethics. It is a search for authenticity, a search for true self” The Japanese garden – Sophie Walker
