Located in a residential area on the outskirts of Oslo, the Solem Forest House stands just east of Maridalsvannet, the city’s primary water reservoir. The property is situated on a gently sloping ridge, defined by mature pines and dense forest, within a regulated watershed where construction must meet stringent conditions to protect the water supply.
Nature and preservation site
The new single-family house replaces a worn-down timber structure from 1946. To minimise site impact and the consumption of new resources, the house is built on the original masonry foundation, supplemented by a new northeast extension. The height of the existing foundation walls was lowered to improve the flow between the interior living spaces and the surrounding outdoor areas.
Construction prioritised preserving the natural terrain. The site’s topography, including topsoil and exposed bedrock, remains intact. All outdoor surfaces are permeable, facilitating the absorption of local rainwater and preserving the natural water cycle.
Architecture and volume
The Solem Forest House features a prominent cross-gabled roof that shapes its architectural identity. To match the neighbourhood scale and comply with height regulations, the second floor is integrated within the roof volume. This sculpted roof, paired with well-placed windows, admits natural light and frames forest views while creating varied interiors.
Extended roof eaves vary in depth, creating sheltered outdoor zones. The exterior uses dark wooden cladding to match the tree trunks, while the interior is light wood, setting a distinct material boundary.
Material strategy and resource efficiency
Material selection emphasises low-impact building and longevity. Solid wood interiors act as carbon sinks while leveraging the material’s hygroscopic properties to maintain a stable indoor climate. Exposed tactile surfaces eliminate the need for added synthetic finishes or adhesives.
The interior layout has a total area of 170 square metres, designed to use space as efficiently as possible, which reduces the amount of land needed for the building. Built-in storage solutions and furniture were custom-made on-site to make the most of the interior volume. The ground floor is designed for easy access and features flexible layouts that support guests or adapt to residents' changing needs over time, extending the house's useful life.
Integration with nature
The Solem Forest House blurs the line between inside and outside. Different levels and specific views through doors and windows let the seasons and weather shape daily life. As the clients say: “This is a completely unique quality of the house that we experience every day.” By keeping existing vegetation and undergrowth, the house settles into the site with little ecological disruption.
