House Engberga by Tham & Videgård Arkitekter

A Modern Architectural Landmark in the Stockholm Archipelago

House Engberga by Tham & Videgård Arkitekter stands on a private peninsula in the Stockholm Archipelago, offering sweeping views in four directions. Accessible via a drivable jetty, the home is strategically placed on the central hill of the site, allowing it to command unobstructed vistas of the surrounding natural landscape.

This residence demonstrates a masterful balance of contemporary Scandinavian architecture, traditional craftsmanship, and sustainable materials. Its unique design explores contrasts—between openness and seclusion, solidity and transparency, raw materiality and refined detailing.

Three Distinct Levels of Design

The house is organized into three levels, each reflecting a different architectural character:

• The Solid Base: Constructed in in-situ concrete, the lower level anchors the building to the peninsula. It accommodates a guest room, a studio, and a family room, shaped by curved concrete walls that add sculptural depth to the interiors.
• The Transparent Middle Floor: Defined by glass walls within an open pillar structure, this level creates a sense of weightlessness. It houses the social spaces—kitchen, dining, and living areas—organized around a central wooden box that integrates a fireplace, staircase, and storage.
• The Secluded Top Floor: Featuring facades and roofing in burnt wood (Shou Sugi Ban), the uppermost level provides privacy and warmth. It includes two bedrooms and a master suite, while maintaining strong visual connections with the landscape.

Architectural Experience and Flow

A double-height loggia marks the entry sequence, leading visitors to the home’s lower level. A circular staircaseconnects the levels, reinforcing fluid movement between the intimate private spaces and the more expansive communal areas.

The kitchen and living room extend onto a southwest-facing terrace, offering sheltered outdoor living with views across the water. A stone-paved footpath descends from here toward a boathouse and sauna by the shoreline, completing the site’s connection between architecture and nature.

Materials and Atmosphere

House Engberga highlights a rich yet restrained material palette. The robust concrete base contrasts with the transparent glass envelope of the central floor, while the upper level’s charred timber surfaces create an intimate, protective atmosphere.

This juxtaposition of materials not only emphasizes spatial hierarchy but also reflects a sensitivity to both the natural environment and the traditions of Nordic design.

All the photographs are works of Åke E:son Lindman