Toralfhuset

On a small island community, Røst in the north of Norway is a house left in a nearly ruinous condition. The sea levels are rising and the scene of the island will change drastically in the future.Trough a transformation of Toralfhuset and an addition of a supplementary house the project investigates how to inhabit the houses in the future, while preserving its historical value and atmosphere. 

Toralfhuset is a well known house in the local community. Its last inhabitant, Toralf had a strong passion for the local birdlife at Røst, and since his death, birds have started to inhabit the house in the summer season. The program of the project aims to create a gathered space for birdwatchers that visit Røst and maintaining the identity of the place.

The transformation of Toralfhuset focuses on maintaining its present qualities and preserving the existing materials and traces from the past. By replacing damaged wood and rebuilding the demolished facades the house gets patched together, making the new additions visible. 

The additional house is buildt with a double log house construction, inspired by Toralfhuset. Inspired by local materials and techniques the addition is built on a stone foundation that can withstand the future rise of sea level.

”The charm of ruins depends on the fact that they show a man-made work, while at the same time seeming to be a product of nature...Nature has used the man-made as material for its own production, like art previously has used nature as its raw material.”

Georg Simmel, ’Die Ruine’ - 1919.