Prime position: STA’s latest Oslo house makes the most of the spectacular views

Exterior view of the Oslo family house by STA - the house features a dark wood exterior, windows with yellow frames and it is surrounded by other houses, trees and snow

High above the Norwegian capital, this family house by Schjelderup Trondahl Architects is spoilt for views

(Image credit: TBC)

last updated August 9, 2022

Perched on a hill in Oslo, this new single-family house by local firm STA comes with striking long views towards the Norwegian capital and beyond, to the country's famous fjords and green hills in the distant horizon. Its prime position, high up, at the very edge of the city's limits and with a dense forest starting behind it, is complemented by its timber architecture that creates a generous, warm, yet typically minimal Scandinavian interior.

The site, privileged, as it may seem, didn't come without its challenges. While it sits firmly within the capital's suburban zone, a high-density development is located right in front of it, potentially blocking its views towards the city centre. The architects, headed by STA co-directors Stian Schjelderup and Øystein Trondahl, had to approach height and massing carefully, and conducted a thorough analysis of the different viewpoints and the volumes of the surrounding buildings, in order to ensure the best possible experience for their clients.

View of the ground level floor plans for the Oslo family house — Take an interactive tour of Oslo House

The geography of the site and strict building regulations determined the form and height of the house, but also its colour. The structure's tall form is clad in slow-grown, handpicked, burned and oiled spruce board that conceals all the fixed window frames within. A vibrant yellow highlights some of the irregular openings that break the monotony of the façade.

The street-level entrance is situated on the building's middle floor, which compactly houses four bedrooms and a bathroom. A short hallway leads diagonally through to a family sitting room. Downstairs from this level, on the ground floor, are a series of service rooms and a small studio apartment with an independent entrance, living area and access to the concrete terrace in the garden.

At the building's very top sits a generous open-plan living area, including the kitchen and dining room. The roof's angle and internal timber cladding (solid oak floorboards and plywood wall panels) help create an intimate atmosphere. A terrace jutting out from the building's side, like a bridge toward the horizon, gives the owners the chance to take in the stunning views al fresco.

Alternative exterior view of the Oslo family house by STA - the house features a dark wood exterior, windows and doors with yellow frames and it is surrounded by other houses, trees and snow — The design references the form, height and material palette of the neighbouring homes, but adds a contemporary twist in the form of enlarged windows, vertical cladding and sections of yellow highlighting

Alternative exterior view of the Oslo family house by STA under a blue cloudy sky - the house features a dark wood exterior and windows and doors with yellow frames. There is snow on the ground and other houses nearby — Wrapped in slow-grown, handpicked, burned and oiled spruce board, the structure shares a material link to the dense coniferous forest behind it

Interior view of a living area at the Oslo family house featuring white walls, wood flooring, a wood panelled ceiling with spotlights, a blue sofa, an off-white coloured rug, a small table, wooden and white shelving units with books and other items, a tv and a window with a light coloured chair in front — Inside, the finishes are natural and light. Timber walls, ceilings, floors and storage units are offset by white partitions

Alternative interior view of a living area at the Oslo family house featuring a wood panelled ceiling with spotlights, wood panelled walls, wood flooring, a blue sofa, an off-white coloured rug, a small table, a wooden shelving unit with books and other items, a chest of drawers and windows — A small sitting room on the first floor provides access into adjacent bedrooms. The main entrance is located on this level

Interior view of the hallway at the Oslo family house featuring white walls, wood flooring, wooden steps, a wood panelled ceiling with spotlights and a window. There is a partial view of a living area — The interior is minimalist, with smooth finishes and neutral colours, as featured in the pale oak floorboards and combination of plywood panels and white painted walls

Alternative interior view of the hallway at the Oslo family house featuring white walls, wood flooring, wooden steps and a wood panelled ceiling. There is a partial view of a living area and a bedroom — There is a small level change between the left and right sides of the building, creating two distinctive zones on both the first and second floors

Interior view of a bedroom at the Oslo family house featuring white walls, wood flooring, a window, a blue wardrobe, drawers and desk with a wooden chair, a blue bed with striped linen and a cushion, a white wall lamp and toys on the window sill and floor — Three single bedrooms and one double bedroom occupy the rest of the first floor, continuing the architectural language of the sitting room. External openings are mainly small at this level of the property

Interior view of a bathroom at the Oslo family house featuring dark grey tiled walls and flooring, a window with a plant, a white toilet, a white sink and a wall mounted mirrored cabinet — The bathrooms are as uniformly decorated as the rest of the house, with dark grey square tiled walls and floors, interrupted only by modern white sanitary-ware and fixed orange cabinets

Interior view of the wooden steps leading to the main living area at the Oslo family house. There is a partial view of the living area featuring a wood panelled ceiling and walls, a dining table, red chairs, shelving and a pendant light — The oak and plywood aesthetic continues upstairs into the main living space

Interior view of the main living area at the Oslo family house featuring white and wood panelled walls, wood flooring, a wood panelled ceiling with sphere lights, shelving with various items, seating and windows — Clever integration of fixtures and furnishings complete the internal, warm yet clean aesthetic...

Alternative interior view of the main living area at the Oslo family house featuring wood panelled walls, wood flooring, a wood panelled ceiling, wall lights, wall art, an off-white coloured rug, seating and large windows offering views of Oslo — ...whilst wide panoramic windows frame idyllic views out over the Norwegian terrain and down towards the city of Oslo, and the fjords beyond

Alternative exterior view of the Oslo family house by STA during the day - the house features a dark wood exterior and windows and doors with yellow frames. There is snow on the ground and other houses nearby — The placement of the openings is dictated by the layout within - as well as the desire to frame specific views - and creates a playfully asymmetric façade

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