Striking Rustic Boathouse Made With Reclaimed Materials in Norway

Doesn't it seem as though this placid spot in Aure, Norway was made just for the lovely little house that sits on it today? The Boathouse, designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/norwegian-students-build-airy-bamboo-and-teak-library-for-thai-orphans/">TYIN tegnestue Architects</a>, is nestled in between two hills right above the waterline. The original <a href="http://inhabitat.com/fdnys-new-marine-1-boathouse-will-be-a-green-wonder-on-the-hudson/">boat house</a> was in bad shape and had to be torn down, but some of the materials were still usable and the site was so sensibly chosen that they chose to rebuild it. Using much of the wood from the original boat house along with windows from a nearby farmhouse and locally-sourced new wood, the group built a new structure in complete harmony with its surrounding environment.

Boat houses in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/norway">Norway</a> were traditionally used for storage of boats, but many are converting the older shacks into recreational houses for summer use.

This particular boat house is remotely located, but nestled into the hills and protected by the landscape.

Worn down and desperately in need of some TLC, the decision was made to tear it down and build anew.

Its remote location though, made it challenging to bring in new materials, but just because the structure needed to be torn down, didn't mean that the material wasn't still worthwhile.

The original boathouse was built right on the ground, so after demolition a new foundation was built between the hills to raise the structure up above the water.

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/reclaimed-wood/" target="_blank">Reclaimed wood</a> from the original structure was used to line the interior, while window's from the clients' nearby farmhouse were incorporated into the design.

The exterior is clad in new, locally-sourced Norwegian Pine pressure treated with a product based on <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/green-materials">environmentally friendly</a> bio-waste from the sugar cane industry.

This treatment eliminates the need for any maintenance and will fade to a gray patina over time.

One of the most intriguing parts of the design is the movable shutter windows. Simple steel brackets and bolts allow the shutters to swing up to open the room to the exterior.

Lights are incorporated inside the shutters, which are covered with simple cotton canvas and when turned on, the shutters glow like a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/lantern-like-hanging-japanese-tea-house-brings-visitors-in-touch-with-nature/">lantern</a>, illuminating both the interior and exterior.

Skylights made from the translucent shutters and the windows, let light into the interior.

Many of the design decisions were made on site during the construction according to the available materials and their relationship with the environment to create a harmonious solution.

Drawing of the Boathouse detailing the shutters on the patio side.