The 'Brickhouse with a Tower' by Sanden+Hodnekvam Architects is located on a steep hill facing southwest, a few kilometers south of Lillehammer, overlooking the lake of Mjøsa and with views towards the city center.
A trail path runs parallel with the house on the rear side. The placement of the house is chosen to get long views above the adjacent neighbors below, whilst at the same time preserving the views from the trail path. The volume is dug into the ground as a long, slender building body with a small tower rising over the north end of the site.
The building is dressed in red brick wrapped around a load-bearing wooden structure, made visible through the repetitious openings. Brick is clearly and visibly used as cladding and weather protection. At the same time, the volume and openings are planned in relation to the properties of the material using traditional masonry techniques to create openings without excessive use of steel and concrete as reinforcements. The repetitive and simple facades follow the grid of the underlying wooden structure with simple detailing and a contemporary aesthetic. Yet, the architectural expression is a continuation of the historical references and brick structures found in the area.
Throughout history, the area around the lake of Mjøsa has long traditions with masonry. It has been the home of 25 brickyards and both the railway station and the church in Lillehammer are made in brick. Brick is a durable material with weight and character providing it with a timeless quality. Today, it is usually used as cladding without structural properties. Our interest was to find a way to build a brick house within a rational economy and honesty in terms of tectonic qualities and a visible structure.
The tower is comprised of one open space overlooking the city in the north and the lake in the west. A part of the tower is open to the floor below, establishing visual contact between the different levels and providing the kitchen area with air and a generous ceiling height. The plan layout is organized to give long views through the house on all three stories. The children’s rooms are located on the ground floor in addition to a small apartment for rent. The first floor is the main living space with a kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. The tower room is a library/living room with long views in two directions.
