Hellnes Lodge is a complete refurbishment project of a farm that was rebuilt after WWII. The barn has bedrooms and shared spaces and the boathouse has a kitchen and a bar, as Hellnes is getting ready to welcome tourists for outdoor adventures, skiing, fishing, and coursing in mindfulness. The newest addition is a sauna for relaxation and meditation, also serving as an observatory for the raw surroundings as we’re located in the very Northern part of Norway
The boat house is a two-story wooden building located on the rocky beach of Hellnes. A door towards the street brings you to a flexible loft that will host the kitchen and the bar, whilst the front double door makes access for the boat- a floor now also hosting services like toilets, changing rooms, and equipment.
Next to the boat house passes a river that flows from the mountain in the 'backyard' to the sea
The sauna will be located on the Northern side of the preexisting boathouse to get views of the sea- and the midnight sun. The maximum footprint of 15 sqm is aligned but separated from its neighbor to not obstruct the views, and create a sheltered negative space for outdoor activities in between the two buildings. The footprint covers the one of the river, as it will play a protagonistic role in the experience of the sauna user
The shape deforms as it separates the two main views, an gives room for a third- each one feeling isolated to give a sense of privacy for relaxation and reflection. The river is channeled along the wall, guiding the user inside, and providing the cold bath with constant, fresh water
The flowing water adds to the biophilic experience with its sound and can be used to cool down oneself- or be poured onto the oven. As with every other Northern facade of the island, this one too is covered with steel plates to protect from the harsh winds, reaching above 50 m/s. As the sauna ‘activates’ and the moving facade slides away from the view, it protects the entrance area in the same manner
The new logo emphasizes the characteristic view from Hellnes towards the midnight sun where the mountain reaches the sea and underlines the activities offered on this unique site
