'deer grotto'


swedish architectural firm visiondivision was commissioned to build a house among a group
of cottages dating back from the 18th century. the client wanted the new home to blend in with
its environment, particularly from one side where the client's conservative mother has her cottage
and watchful eyes.




a few deer statues are placed on top of the building, acting as a reference point for the house


the particular site on the property where the client wanted the addition is within the sloping ground
that leads down from the old cottage towards a small creek. the swedish duo excavated this hill
and built a concrete vault in its place. the concluding structure is 'deer grotto', a building that blends
into its surrounding landscape, so much so that it is almost invisible. the new home is linked to the
old cottage through an internal set of stairs, dividing the extension into a social zone and the original
cottage as a quieter one. the 'social zone' is punctuated with strategically located holes for light -
a manmade knoll of sorts. a few deer statues are placed on top of the building, some of which are
hollow and cover the holes, becoming the light shafts themselves. other than being light shafts,
they also act as a reference point for the overall content of the house.




living room


two resting hollow deer are over the bedrooms. a solid deer that jumps out of a small pond
that is a light shaft is placed over the bathroom, a solid drinking deer is situated over the kitchen
and a mighty hollow buck sits on top of the living room. the living room of the 'deer grotto'
has a glass façade which faces the river, and stands also the only visible side of the house.




bathroom




interior view




floor plan




aerial view of the old cottage and 'deer grotto'




section view of 'deer grotto'