Troll Hus: A Single-Family Residence with Glazed Balconies and Open Plan Configuration

The winner of some awards in different categories, Troll Hus is a 3,300sf single-family residence designed by Mork Ulnes Architects. Located in Norden, California, this residence is completed in 2015 and surrounded by extreme environmental conditions. Glazed south-facing balconies are designed to maximize solar exposure while an open plan configuration is added to the main living space.

Design

This residence is surrounded both by a California sensibility of generous indoor-outdoor living and the extreme environmental conditions found at a 6,800-foot elevation. This house is lifted on concrete legs based on the alpine chalet building type, protecting it from the snow in excess of 800 inches.

The orientation of the house building can protect it from the prevailing winds and allowing the house living spaces open onto the glazed south-facing balconies. With these balconies, solar exposure can be maximized in winter and the interior also can be shaded in summer.

Materials

There is a main living space at the upper level with an open plan configuration below the ceilings. These two vaulted ceilings are capped with skylights, demarcating two smaller spaces to the alpine cabin. This house building is also clad in pine tar-treated wood. This wood is the same robust cladding found on 1000-year-old Norwegian barns. The wood allows the house to sits within the surrounding pines’ canopy.

Troll Hus Gallery

Photographer: Bruce Damonte Photography