three pitched-roof forms top note studio's villa in ottsjö

NOTE PRESENTS itS FIRST-ever ARCHITECTURE PROJECT set in Ottsjö

Multidisciplinary design studio Note completes its first architectural project, a villa perched over the steep mountain terrain of Ottsjö in Sweden. Located south of Åre Ski Resort, the house is carefully placed into its surroundings while still holding its own clear and distinct expression. The clients, a young couple with a strong appreciation for the outdoors, approached the studio with a clear vision influenced by traditional and contemporary barn aesthetics, characterized by a pitched roof, horizontal orientation, and minimalistic cladding. However, site-specific constraints, including the natural topography, required adjustments to the initial concept. Adapting to the landscape’s height curves, the design evolved beyond conventional barn typologies to respond directly to its surroundings. The project’s location in northern Sweden, where daylight is limited, necessitated careful orientation to maximize natural light throughout the day.

The Ottsjö project is particularly significant as it marks the studio’s first step into full-scale architectural design. ‘Having spent years refining their approach to shaping interiors, stepping into architecture has been a natural but elusive progression,’ shares Note’s creative team.

all images by Erik Lefvander

Note’s architectural layout follows the mountainous terrain

‘We have searched for this opportunity for years and this project marks a significant shift; one where we establish the architectural framework rather than adapting to pre-existing conditions,’ says Johannes Karlström, co-founder of Note design studio, and continues: ‘It has allowed us to translate our knowledge of materiality, spatial flow, and user experience into a broader context. For us, this project has manifested a newfound freedom, where we set the parameters rather than working within them.’

The architectural design consists of three identical pitched-roof volumes, interlinked yet offset to capture the stunning mountain views to the west. This arrangement allows the house to naturally follow the undulating terrain, creating a fluid and intuitive floor plan. Each volume serves a distinct function, ensuring a balance between shared and private spaces. The internal connection is facilitated by a central footbridge, allowing for both physical and vocal access throughout the entire home. The result is a highly social living environment, offering maximum functionality despite its minimal footprint.

Note completes its first architectural project, a villa integrated into the mountainous landscape of Ottsjö, Sweden

Locally Sourced Materials Shape the Site-Specific Retreat

The house is constructed using Swedish pine wood sourced from a forest 140 kilometers away, ensuring a locally available and sustainable material. The cold climate in the region results in slow tree growth, producing dense and durable wood suitable for construction. Left untreated, the pine is used throughout the facade, allowing it to naturally withstand the elements following traditional building methods. The architectural layout is composed of three interconnected volumes, each serving a distinct function to balance shared and private spaces. A central footbridge facilitates movement and communication throughout the home, enhancing connectivity while maintaining a compact footprint.

For Note design studio, material selection was integral to both the identity and performance of the house. In collaboration with local craftsmen, the design prioritizes sustainability and adaptability to the challenging climate of Ottsjö. ‘The exterior is clad in untreated Norrland heartwood, arranged in varying panel widths to create a subtle variation in the facade. We also use Norwegian marble that is sourced from just across the mountain, a local and beautiful stone that fits just right together with the pine,’ says Jesper Mellgren, the project’s architect.

the house balances a distinct architectural identity with a strong connection to its surroundings

Beyond aesthetics, the house is built to embrace the realities of mountain living. The steep roof pitch is designed to handle massive snowfall, and the house is shaped to withstand the region’s harsh weather conditions while capturing the precious daylight and framing the panoramic views.

‘This project represents our evolution as creators, bringing our experience in interiors into a broader architectural vision. It is an exploration of how space, function, and materiality can work together in the context of the surrounding wild nature. This is a house that fills the needs of the people living there today, and it will also be a contribution to the village of Ottsjö and the site itself for generations to come,’ Mellgren concludes. The studio will soon present its second architectural project in an old village in Skåne, southern Sweden.

the design was influenced by barn aesthetics but adapted to fit the constraints of the steep terrain