Trekronekabin by Tommie Wilhelmsen, Norway

Exterior view from below of the elevated Trekronekabin by Tommie Wilhelmsen - a dark wood house that sits on rocks surrounded by trees under a blue cloudy sky

Remote retreats aren't usually as stylish as this elevated house, the Trekronekabin (literally, 'cabin in the tree tops' in Norwegian), set in a remote part of the Sjernnaroy islands on Norway's west coast, not far from Stavanger. Photography: Nils Petter Dale

(Image credit: Nils Petter Dale)

By Ellie Stathaki

last updated 22 August 2022

in Features

Alternative exterior view from below of the elevated Trekronekabin - a dark wood house that sits on rocks surrounded by trees under a blue cloudy sky — Accessible only by boat, this private lodge is placed on a steep rock buried deep in the woods

Closer exterior view of the elevated Trekronekabin - a dark wood house surrounded by trees under a blue sky — Using only local materials, including oak, pine and fir taken directly from the island, architect Tommie Wilhelmsen has created a sleek but sympathetic intervention into the landscape that is the perfect escape for the owner's family and friends

Alternative exterior view of the elevated Trekronekabin - a dark wood house with a chimney and outdoor terrace that sits on rocks surrounded by trees under a blue cloudy sky — Sober black and natural oak tone sympathetically with the surroundings, whilst the intersection of house and rock is treated as dramatically as possible, with slender steel pilotis pushed to the edges of the floorplan, and the whole building visually anchored to a rocky outcrop by the vertical concrete shaft of the chimney

View of the outdoor terrace at Trekronekabin during the day. The terrace features wooden decking, green chairs, rocks and glass balustrades. There is a dog lounging on the floor — The client wanted only one thing; a retreat that evoked the feeling of rising above the trees to catch the sun and watch the ocean, just a few hundred feet away

Interior view of the living area at Trekronekabin featuring a wood slat covered ceiling and curved wall, white walls, wood flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, a tv, a black sofa, a coffee table with a tray of items on top and black bar spotlights — Designed for summer occupation, rather than as a snowy bolthole, the Sjernaroy cabin is open and inviting, the curving slats of the interior wooden ceilings curving down and round to enclose the sitting area

Alternative interior view of the living area at Trekronekabin featuring a wood slat covered ceiling and curved wall, white walls, wood flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, a black sofa and armchair, a side table, a coffee table and black bar spotlights — The large windows frame the views

Interior view of the kitchen and dining area at Trekronekabin featuring a wood slat covered ceiling, white walls, wood flooring, windows, a white fridge, white drawers, a wooden dining table with items on top, black chairs and black bar spotlights. The fireplace and living area can also be seen — This house is a model for entertaining on a modest scale, with clean and practical furnishings, as well as a natural flow between spaces

Alternative interior view of the kitchen and dining area at Trekronekabin featuring a wood slat covered ceiling, white walls, wood flooring, windows, white cupboards and drawers, a sink, kitchen appliances, a wooden dining table with items on top, black chairs and black bar spotlights — Kitchen fittings are simple and sleek

View of a tall, grey fireplace with a glass unit at Trekronekabin in a space with a wood slat covered ceiling, wood flooring and glass doors leading to an outdoor area — A fireplace demarcates the living area from the kitchen, while offering heat in all directions

Interior view of the living area and the kitchen and dining area at Trekronekabin featuring a wood slat covered ceiling, black bar spotlights, white walls, wood flooring, windows, a black sofa, a tv, a coffee table with items on top, a dining table with black chairs, kitchen appliances and white cupboards and drawers. The fireplace in-between both areas can also be seen — Light floods in through an elevated window

Interior view of a bedroom at Trekronekabin featuring white walls, a window, wood flooring, a bed with white and grid style pillows and linen, a white sliding wardrobe with wood panels, a mirror and white bar spotlights. The en-suite bathroom can also be partially seen — Bedrooms are simple and practical

Interior view of the master bathroom at Trekronekabin featuring a white ceiling, white tiled walls, grey tiled floors, a wall-mounted mirror, a white sink on a white and wooden unit and a towel rail with brown towels — The master bathroom

Interior view of a space at Trekronekabin featuring white walls, wood flooring, windows, white and wood slat covered ceilings, black bar spotlights and a black sofa. Next to the sofa is a white ladder that leads to an upper level — Space for the family and guests is maximised in this small, self-contained retreat

Interior view of a bedroom at Trekronekabin featuring a white ceiling with a light fixture, white walls, a small square window, wood flooring, wooden bunk beds with white and grid style pillows and linen and a football in the corner — Practical bunk beds in one of the bedrooms

Interior view of a space at Trekronekabin featuring a wood slat covered ceiling, black bar spotlights, white walls, wood flooring, a black sofa and a wooden unit under the windows. There is a cupboard with a partially open wooden door and a dog is lounging on the floor — An extra living area

Close up exterior view of the outdoor terrace at Trekronekabin during the day. The terrace features wooden decking, green chairs and glass balustrades. The glass doors to the house are open offering a partial view of the living area and the kitchen and dining area — A large deck ensures space for outdoor living

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Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).