Perfect integration

This rational house, located in the municipality of Nacka to the east of Sweden’s capital, stands out for its high degree of integration into the urban and natural landscape: the former characterised by a perfect balance between old and modern buildings, the latter a region of outstanding beauty featuring lush vegetation and washed by the waters of river Morr and lake Malaren. A city built on water, Stockholm extends over a series of islets and peninsulas separated by stretches of sea, lakes and canals that flow into the Baltic. The old town is packed with artistic and cultural attractions, from the mediaeval tower of the oldest Abbey (Birger Jarls Torn) to the sophisticated early twentieth century buildings dating from the golden age of Swedish architecture, the so-called Swedish Grace. The immediate suburbs have more modern architecture reflecting a minimalist approach to form, choice of materials and colours. A prime example of the “new Stockholm” is the Hammarby Sjöstad green district, a model neighbourhood for sustainable cities of the future with 50% lower emissions than those of the suburbs that sprang up in the 1990s. The building extends over a surface area of 300 square metres harmonised by the use of porcelain floor and wall tiles with the look and feel of concrete – the Back collection from Ceramiche Keope, in the colour Grey. The 60×60 cm ceramic modules, chosen during the building renovation project carried out in 2010, were also used in the bathroom and kitchen and evoke the texture of stone with its imperfections and traces of the machining process. Their extensive use not only created a sense of continuity that can be perceived when moving from one room to another, but also promoted integration with the outside environment. The square volumes of the various rooms in the house have a logical, rational layout that, while reserving no surprises or elements of particular originality, does give the overall project a sense of well-balanced rigour and a high degree of functionality in keeping with the overall design philosophy. The clean, essential rooms engage constantly with the natural landscape that is everywhere visible through large windows. This sense of continuity is further enhanced by the use of porcelain tiles for the exteriors, again with a concrete effect finish. This creates the sensation of being suspended above the surface of the water, as though in a boat. It was the construction company, Villa Gyllensand, also based in the municipality of Nacka, that advised the clients and homeowners to opt for this strongly northern European stylistic solution – one which is also highly eco-friendly given that the line boasts the Greenthinking mark guaranteeing reduced greenhouse gas emissions during production in accordance with the standards of the Kyoto protocol.