Villa Ottsjö is a minimalist home located in Ottsjö, Sweden, designed by Note. In the rugged terrain where snow-laden winds sweep across the Swedish mountains, three pitched-roof volumes emerge from the landscape like a thoughtful conversation between architecture and nature. This debut architectural project by Note reads like a material poem – each carefully chosen element speaking to both place and purpose in a design that marries Scandinavian pragmatism with poetic sensitivity.
The trio of identical volumes, reminiscent of traditional Nordic building forms, represents more than just a shelter against the elements. Their arrangement – offset yet interconnected – creates a compelling narrative about modern mountain living, where the boundaries between interior and exterior become deliberately blurred. Like well-crafted cabinet, the house demonstrates Note’s mastery of both macro and micro scales, developed through years of interior and furniture design.
The project’s material palette tells a story of local ingenuity and environmental stewardship. The untreated Norrland heartwood cladding, with its varying panel widths, creates a subtle rhythmic facade that will weather gracefully over time. This choice echoes traditional Scandinavian building practices while introducing a contemporary interpretation. The incorporation of Norwegian marble, sourced from just across the mountain, grounds the project in its geographic context while adding a refined touch that speaks to Note’s background in luxury interiors.
Perhaps most revealing is the central footbridge that connects the volumes – a design element that transforms circulation into social architecture. This feature exemplifies Note’s understanding of how people move through and interact within spaces, knowledge gained from years of interior design work. The bridge serves as both a physical connector and a social catalyst, allowing conversation to flow as freely as movement between the home’s distinct zones.
The project’s response to climate challenges demonstrates Note’s ability to merge technical requirements with aesthetic ambition. The steep roof pitch, necessary for handling substantial snowfall, becomes a defining architectural gesture that gives the house its distinctive silhouette. This marriage of function and form reflects a deeper understanding of architecture as environmental response rather than mere style exercise.
