In the heart of the Stockholm Archipelago, the stark concrete form of this Modernist-inspired property in the small community of Mörtnäs is a sharp contrast to its quaint cottage-style neighbours. Appearing as a solid light grey box, with a number of uniformly sized openings providing the sole definition to its otherwise seamless elevations, the Villa Mörtnäs, by London-based firm fourfoursixsix (part of the 2011 Wallpaper* Architects Directory), is an exercise in purity and simplicity in design.
Inside, the spatial arrangement follows a reverse hierarchy, with key living spaces situated at the top and the bedrooms below. Garage and storage zones are located on the lower ground floor. "The steep gradient and aspect of the site dictated the hierarchy of the living spaces", explains project architect Thomas Gray. "The lower level could only provide windows to the north, so it suited bedrooms with ceiling heights at a more residential scale." Floor heights increase as the building rises. This is mirrored on the escalating importance of internal areas, and reflected in the façade arrangement and window size.
See more of Villa Mortnas
Assembly was dictated by a strict six months deadline to completion (aiming to finish before the frosty Swedish winter settled in). A simple Aeroc blockwork - an energy saving material that provides excellent thermal insulation - was used for the concrete construction, finished with a light-grey render. Interior décor is just as minimalist, with painted white walls and ceilings, slender white fixtures and whitened pinewood floors, generating an ambience of serenity. Careful detailing ensures a high level of precision throughout, with flush skirting, concealed door architraves, meticulous joining between elements and floor-to-ceiling living room glazing. The black window frames are concealed from the inside, but are visible externally to emphasize and outline the openings.
Whilst the top floor promotes open plan living, with just a small separate television room and toilet, the floors below divide into more private spaces. Externally, the family house may appear fairly sober and introspective; even the outdoor space is secluded, with a south-facing terrace on the top floor, nestled into the rock face behind. The interior however tells a different story. The generous 3.2m high openings along the perimeter of the spacious living room create a relaxed and outgoing atmosphere, framing stunning views out to the sea, and breaking down the barrier between the inside and outside.
The solid concrete structure's openings are minimal, strategically framing views out
Window height increases as the building rises. This is reflected on the ceiling height internally
Villa Mörtnäs is nestled into the site's granite rockface, with openings focused towards the north, making the most of the scenic sea views
The triple aspect open-planned living space is found at the top floor of the property, brightly lit by big windows that provide excellent views out
Internal spaces follow up on the exterior's minimalist theme. A high level of precision and white finishes help create a peaceful interior throughout
At the rear of the house, adjacent to the spacious living room, patio doors open out to a raised, secluded terrace framed by the natural rock of the slope behind
The natural stone bathroom sink conforms to the overall interior palette range of grey and white tones, and references the granite landscape of the site
At night the top floor living space glows from within. The openings are highlighted by their black window frames
The architects 'looked to provide large enough windows which would provide sufficient light, without sacrificing privacy'
The villa is a celebration of simplicity in design, with whitened pinewood floors, flush skirting and a modest timber staircase contributing to a perfectly detailed and understated look
-
Rétromobile revisits some of the icons of car design, along with their modern descendantsWe tour the halls of Rétromobile Paris 2025 and take in remastered automotive classics, futuristic record-breakers and mighty monographs
-
Designer Danny Kaplan’s Manhattan showroom is also his apartment: the live-work space reimaginedDanny Kaplan’s Manhattan apartment is an extension of his new showroom, itself laid out like a home; he invites us in, including a first look at his private quarters
-
Ulla Johnson’s collaboration with artist Julie Hamisky on the A/W 2025 runway is blooming lovelyUlla Johnson and French artist Julie Hamisky have created 12 new jewellery pieces for the designer's A/W 2025 runway
-
Stockholm Wood City: inside the extraordinary timber architecture projectStockholm Wood City is leading the way in timber architecture; we speak to the people behind it to find out the who, what, why and how of the project
-
A bold new water tower by White Arkitekter strides across the Swedish landscapeThe Våga Water Tower in Varberg is a monument to civil engineering, a functional concrete sculpture that's designed to last for centuries
-
This Swedish summer house is a family's serene retreat by the trees and the Baltic seaHorsö, a Swedish summer house by Atelier Alba is a playfully elegant retreat by the Kalmarsund Sea and a natural reserve
-
Explore wood architecture, Paris' new timber tower and how to make sustainable construction look ‘iconic’A new timber tower brings wood architecture into sharp focus in Paris and highlights ways to craft buildings that are both sustainable and look great: we spoke to project architects LAN, and explore the genre through further examples
-
This Stockholm house cascades towards the Swedish seashoreA private Stockholm house by Ström Architects makes the most of its natural setting, while creating a serene haven for its owners
-
Remembering Alexandros Tombazis (1939-2024), and the Metabolist architecture of this 1970s eco-pioneerBack in September 2010 (W*138), we explored the legacy and history of Greek architect Alexandros Tombazis, who this month celebrates his 80th birthday.
-
All hail the power of concrete architecture‘Concrete Architecture’ surveys more than a century’s worth of the world’s most influential buildings using the material, from brutalist memorials to sculptural apartment blocks
-
Three Object Apartment embraces raw concrete honesty in the heart of AthensThree Object Apartment by DeMachinas is a raw concrete home in Athens, which confidently celebrates its modernist bones
