Off-Grid Hardanger Retreat Built From On Site Wood Dramatically Overlooks Norwegian Fjord

Two young Norwegian architects, <a href="http://www.saunders.no/work/item/8-hardanger-retreat" target="_blank">Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen</a>, set out to prove themselves to the world by building a sustainable and experimental retreat. Using the last of their savings in the early 2000s, they bought a plot of land in Hardanger, on the edge of one of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/norway-green-roof-homes/">Norway’s</a> most dramatic fjords. With great respect for the surrounding landscape, the duo, along with carpenter Mats Odin Rustøy, built a minimalistic and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/off-grid">off-grid</a> retreat using felled wood from their land.

Hardanger Retreat is a simple 15 sq meter room composed of glass and wood attached to a long open deck.

Trees, felled on site to make way for the building, were reserved and milled to create planks to build both the room and the deck.

Large glass windows provide stunning views of the fjord below and the structure is insulated with recycled newspaper.

The small retreat uses no electricity and is not connected to the grid. Instead, natural gas is used for cooking and heating.

As the retreat will be used most during the summer months, when there is only around 4 hours of darkness, no lights were installed and if lighting is needed, candles are used.

Originally, Saunders and Wilhelmsen intended to build a second building attached to the deck, which would hold a kitchen, common room, bathroom and another bedroom, but it seems that it has not yet been constructed.

The purpose of the summer retreat was two-fold. Obviously the duo wanted a rad place to hang out in the summer, but they also wanted to use it for their portfolio and show off their talents.

And show off they did. Seven years later and the firm, now called Saunders Architecture, have completed a number of stunning residential projects.

The retreat is located 80 away and above the shoreline.

Nearby on the property is a gushing waterfall and a stream that can be crossed by an old stone bridge.

At the end of this deck the other building will eventually be built.

The retreat gracefully rests on pillars respecting the site and delicately fitting in.

The first phase of the project was completed in 2003.