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Redefining Architectural History in Norway – Bolon at Villa Schjøtt
Overlooking the neighborhood Paradis outside Bergen lies the iconic Villa Schjøtt, designed by Geir Grung in the late 1960s and built for his brother-in-law Helge Schjøtt.
Overlooking the neighborhood Paradis outside Bergen lies the iconic Villa Schjøtt, designed by Geir Grung in the late 1960s and built for his brother-in-law Helge Schjøtt.
The house, by many considered an architectural masterpiece, is easily identified by its glass walls that provide panoramic views of the surroundings and blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Despite sharp edges and big open spaces, the house was built as a social family home, promoting a more informal lifestyle. Openness and seamless flow ensured a connection to nature. We talked to Nina Michelsen about redefining Norwegian architectural history.
One might think that someone in their 60s is going into retirement but that is far from true. In the hands of Nina and Morten Michelsen the iconic house has undergone a stunning transformation and moved into the 21st century. The couple, experts in interior and renovation, took on the massive project of modernizing Villa Schjøtt without doing harm to its appearance or functionality.
- Villa Schjøtt was in quite bad shape and technically outdated, so to preserve the villa it was crucial to renovate it. We made some material and quality choices early on because the villa was after years of usage and a few architectural changes - a patchwork of different products and surfaces. We tried to go back to what we imagined Geir Grung would love - continued his play with geometric forms and made it a fusion of Scandinavian and Japanese styles.
White-painted brick offers a modern touch. The downstairs areas are fitted with Truly #5 I See You, a collage-like pattern, that creates subtle but interesting effects on the space. The I See You product also boasts an LRV (light reflection value) of 45,9 thus creating a calming effect.
- We took the materials down to the most essential, seamless lines and smooth transitions with the usage of mostly nature-based products - concrete, brick walls, wood, glass, mirror, and indirect and technical lighting. Bolon flooring made a perfect addition with its intricate pattern and geometrical playfulness, changing as the light changes on the ground floor. It's a sense of floating and calmness. We knew Bolon would meet all the different demands for the rooms we used it in. Due to the close connection to the outdoors, we had high needs for durability and low maintenance, and Bolon fits perfectly! In this multipurpose room, you can entertain, go to the spa, have movie nights, work out, have wine tasting, and of course - party!
The result is a warm, contemporary, minimalism. The light color palette and the presence of natural light contribute to a tranquil ambiance. All bespoke furniture and door solutions by Michelsens together with carefully selected furniture from Fogia and geometrical objects by Laurie Poast, complement the room's aesthetics and underline the work of Michelsens; to bring this project into modern times.
- I hope people find it an interesting and successful merge between our interior solutions and qualities with the outstanding architecture by Geir Grung. I'm very sorry not to have met him, but family members told us he would adore it - and that's the ever best feedback we could expect! It's a house filling you with joy. Says Nina Michelsen.
