In Espen Surnevik's transformative project, a 200-year-old Norwegian boathouse, or naust, is resurrected to serve as both a holiday home and a working boathouse in Sokn, Norway.
Set against Sokn’s rugged coastal landscape, the project juxtaposes local, time-worn craftsmanship with minimalist, modern interventions that bridge Norway's architectural history with today’s design sensibilities. This undertaking reveals a careful balance: Surnevik remains loyal to the boathouse's traditional forms, such as the low roof angles and stone foundations of the original structure, while implementing materials and techniques that speak to the evolving needs of contemporary architecture. In cladding the superstructure in matte black oxidized zinc, he introduces a protective, subdued elegance that resonates with the weathered stones below while shielding against Norway’s challenging coastal climate.
The project's reimagined superstructure, crafted primarily from locally-sourced wood, honors the historical naust typology. The use of spruce and pine echoes the simple, naturalistic truss constructions found in traditional boathouses. These choices reference Norway's coastal culture, where wood structures stand resiliently upon stone bases, crafted to withstand the tidal rhythms that continually interact with the shoreline. Surnevik’s decision to incorporate this natural drainage into the building’s foundation honors the heritage of regional masonry, and the addition of large glass doors offers both contemporary openness and flood resilience. This approach respects the ecological rhythms of the landscape, blending the naust into its setting with a purpose and functionality as timeless as it is modern.
The interior, too, reflects Surnevik’s integration of past and present. Each piece of furniture—benches, stools, tables—has been custom-designed for resilience, crafted from durable pine that complements the stoic coastal aesthetic. Meanwhile, the infusion of high-tech materials and metals in details such as the windows and stairs allows for precision and durability, bringing a subtle edge to the rustic charm. This careful addition of modernity creates a contrast that feels intentional and evocative, provoking reflections on Norway’s history of material austerity and the efficiency of new technologies.
Surnevik’s work navigates the ambivalence between the vernacular and the industrial, raising questions about sustainability and local identity in a globalizing world. He encourages a nuanced dialogue on architectural legacy versus contemporary innovation, where the local craft's warmth and sustainability coexist with the possibilities offered by modern technology. As both a preservationist and an innovator, Surnevik has created a space that is neither a relic nor a departure but rather an eloquent fusion that respects its origin while embracing the future.
