LINK arkitektur wraps contemporary gabled extension with kebony wood in norway

LINK arkitektur wraps contemporary gabled extension with kebony wood in norway
all images © hundven-clements photography

a nod to the traditional farmhouse structures in the area, norwegian firm LINK arkitektur has established a meaningful dialogue between past and present with the design of the ‘øvre tomtegate 7’ house in norway. the building was restored from its previous dilapidated state and connected to the existing residential property; the new extension is characterized by its gabled form and introduction of modern materials.

the main component throughout the project’s development was the external envelope. glass and aluminium seen extensively throughout, with both the roof and façade of the extension clad in kebony timber, chosen by the architects to maintain the traditional style of the original farmhouse. kebony cladding, when exposed to light, softens in color over time to adopt a delicate silver-grey patina. in turn, this complements the light tones of the wood paneling inside.

martin ebert, LINK’s lead architect on the project comments: ‘this project has been fascinating to work on with the traditional scandinavian design style interwoven with modern architectural elements. the kebony cladding is a really exciting way to keep traditional architecture alive without the negative environmental impact associated with hardwood deforestation.’

the design was heavily influenced by the traditional gable roofed farmhouses in the area

the patented kebony technology is a unique process that modifies sustainable sourced wood species with furfuryl alcohol, a liquid produced from agricultural crop waste. with the addition of heat the furfuryl polymer is permanently grafted into the wood cell wall, resulting in greatly improved durability and dimensional stability; making the wood resistant to biological decay and harsh weather conditions, without the need for expensive and environmentally-damaging treatments.

both the roof and façade of the extension is clad with kebony wood to maintain the traditional aesthetic

internally, there is a focus on natural light, greenery and garden views. the open-plan interior is permeated with natural light through the fully-glazed façade that looks out onto the garden. meanwhile, the roof rises in the center to create a mezzanine level.

the wooden envelope gives the barn a striking yet natural external appearance