Villa Aa
Ivar Kvaal

Villa Aa

C.F. Møller Architects as Architects

An ”invisible” villa built as an addition to an historic farm and is integrated respectfully into the surrounding protected nature.
The historic farm building is situated in a protected countryside near the Oslo Fjord, which has been inhabited since the Viking Age. Villa Aa is built as a residence for the next generation of the family on the farm and is designed to adapt to the regulations for the protected area, the nature of the site, and the use as both an office and a home. The result is, from the outside, an almost invisible villa snuggly fitted into the landscape with beautiful views towards the Oslo Fjord and defined areas for business and family life.

photo_credit Ivar Kvaal
Ivar Kvaal

Office and home
The villa’s layout creates a flow and connection between formal and informal functions, and combines practicality and wellbeing. The main entrance is located on the north-west side of the building at the end of a pathway which is carved into the terrain from the parking lot. The second entrance is a small staircase with a green bright courtyard connected to a room which can be used as office guest room plus fitness room. The southern façade is almost a complete glass facade with fantastic views towards the fjord and large sliding sections towards the terrace connecting the villa with the garden and the outdoors. A formal living room, kitchen, and three primary bedrooms are facing the generous outdoor spaces. Facing west, a family living room is located on the same axis as bathroom and toilets ending in a smaller reception and office area which doubles as a guest room facing east. All rooms in this axis have skylights for natural lighting.

photo_credit Ivar Kvaal
Ivar Kvaal

Connected to its surroundings
A green roof on top of the villa itself acts as an upper terrace. A lower terrace and garden include two water features. Towards theeast is a swimming pool. Next to this, a smaller pool towards west collects rainwater from roofs and hard surfaces and is planted with aquatic plants. The water in the pools reflects the sky and light in the same way as the fjord does and appears as a visual connection to the open water.

photo_credit Ivar Kvaal
Ivar Kvaal

The choice of concrete as a primary material is motivated by a concrete barn which is a part of the farm. The concrete is used for walls, floors and terraces, stairwells, steps, and pools. Columns and girders are made of steel. Wood with various surface treatments, like varnished and smoked wood, is used for the interior. Exterior wooden panels are made of cedar tree. The floors inside are made of polished concrete andcontinue into the outdoor terraces. This connects the villa to the garden and pool area and blurs the boundaries between inside and outside.

photo_credit Ivar Kvaal
Ivar Kvaal
photo_credit Ivar Kvaal
Ivar Kvaal
photo_credit Ivar Kvaal
Ivar Kvaal
photo_credit Ivar Kvaal
Ivar Kvaal
photo_credit C.F. Møller Architects
C.F. Møller Architects
photo_credit C.F. Møller Architects
C.F. Møller Architects
photo_credit C.F. Møller Architects
C.F. Møller Architects
Products Behind Projects
Product Spotlight
News
Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects is an architectural oasis in the desert
18 Mar 2024 News
Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects is an architectural oasis in the desert

Mumbai-based Sanjay Puri Architects has completed the Nokha Village Community Centre, an architectur... More

Square and Tourist Office: Emerging finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024
15 Mar 2024 News
Square and Tourist Office: Emerging finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024

In this Archello series, we look at each of the seven nominated projects (five architecture finalist... More

25 best mosaic wall tile manufacturers
15 Mar 2024 Specification
25 best mosaic wall tile manufacturers

Mosaic wall tiles are produced in an enormous range of colors, shapes and finishes, and from a varie... More

Introducing Partner Motion Facades
15 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Motion Facades

Motion Facades specializes in supplying advanced facade systems for luxury real estate projects. Its... More

Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores join Archello Awards 2024 jury panel
15 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores join Archello Awards 2024 jury panel

Architects Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores have been an... More

JSWD completes new office complex in Bonn unified by triangular facade elements
14 Mar 2024 News
JSWD completes new office complex in Bonn unified by triangular facade elements

International architectural firm JSWD has completed the Neuer Kanzlerplatz office complex in the cit... More

Archello Awards 2024 expands with 'Firm Awards'
14 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Archello Awards 2024 expands with 'Firm Awards'

Today Archello introduces a new set of Firm Awards categories to widen the scope of the Archello Awa... More

Studio Egret West develops plans for new Passivhaus homes
13 Mar 2024 News
Studio Egret West develops plans for new Passivhaus homes

London-based multidisciplinary architecture and design practice Studio Egret West has developed plan... More