The house on the island
Architect: GINNERUPARKITEKTER, Martin Schack
Kitchen Design: Køkkenskaberne
Photography: Niels Nygaard
Hidden away on one of Denmark’s innumerable islands lies a fairytale house, dwarfed by the weather-beaten landscape. While financially unconstrained, the partner and architect from GINNERUPARKITEKTER Martin Schack was restricted, legally, to the footprint of the previous cottage, and relished the challenge, “I love that, because then there is something to bounce against.”
Describing the home as a ‘dance with nature’, Martin’s ensured every corner is glass, to take every advantage of the overwhelming vista. It’s all about making the most of, without spoiling, the location. To further blend in, the house is actually made of its location. The concrete foundation uses the same sand as the nearby beach, the walls match the rocks of the small coastal storm wall and the tiles of the roof reflect the overcast sky. From a distance, the roof lines up with the horizon and the house all but disappears.
“I would prefer to use Gaggenau in more of our projects. That sound when you close the oven door. It’s the same attention to detail that we practice as architects.”
Martin Schack, architect.
To successfully create a simple, geometric, minimalist home, “You have to pay extreme attention to details. Do that and the whole project almost does itself.” Within, sparse white walls mark out the rooms, dark wood cabinetry, a tap and Gaggenau cooktop and oven gently inform that you are in the open plan kitchen.
“We use Gaggenau when we look for a cool and minimalistic design. And an honest design.”
“While it would always be a beautiful house, it really comes into its own in this isolated existence.”
Martin Schack, architect.
The small 55 m2 summerhouse towers proudly on the natural plot as a sharply cut stone block designed with a simple floor plan. Seen from the gables, the house is experienced as a square, with a triangle inscribed by the shape of the pitched roof in natural slate tiles. As seemingly simple as the house was designed, there are lots of details that make the simplicity subtle.
“If people are interested in details and the sum of details, they should look for Gaggenau.”
Martin Schack, architect.
