Floating High Above Oslo
At the top of Ekeberg in Oslo sits a house boasting five terraces and a remarkable view over the Norwegian capital.
A Challenging Plot
The plot on the Ekeberg hillside was steep and sloping, with a 30% incline, and none of the neighbors had made use of their similarly challenging plots. It would take ten years before the couple began working on the garden. When their daughter was born, the dream of having their own swimming pool and activities on their own property began to grow, and the couple saw the opportunity to create a green oasis floating above the city.
“There were wild shrubs and trees everywhere, and we didn’t really know where to start,” Hanne explains. The starting point came when they sketched a few drawings and cut down some trees to see what might be possible. From there, the project gradually grew step by step into something much larger than they had initially imagined.
The Project That Grew
The first drawings only included a pool at the bottom of the plot, but Rune, who is an engineer, began to see additional possibilities. Even though the plot was extremely demanding, they started thinking in levels.
“We were prepared to do a lot of the work ourselves, so we began clearing the plot on our own,” Hanne says with a smile.
Kebony Cladding and Terrace
Hanne Holsted and her husband Rune, the homeowners, chose Kebony wood together because of its durability, natural color, and low-maintenance properties.
By using different types of Kebony profiles, Hanne has created a private paradise that includes a swimming pool, a gazebo, planting beds, built-in storage, and several relaxing and entertaining areas for enjoying sunny days.
The terrace has already developed a natural silver-gray patina due to sun and rain. The cladding has also weathered somewhat, though not as much as the decking boards. The couple are very pleased with the colors and the natural look it provides. The timber truly complements the natural character of the plot.