An extraordinary house
Architect Todd Saunders broke new ground when he designed Villa Greig. The villa is built on stilts and sits atop a hill overlooking Nordåsvannet in Bergen. At first glance, the house has a somewhat austere appearance, but the curved shapes soften the look, as does the Kebony Character cladding, which allows the house to blend into its surroundings.
Renowned Canadian architect Todd Saunders is no stranger to Nordåsvannet. The picturesque Norwegian lake, with its lush islands, is just a short drive from Bergen. Saunders clearly knows the landscape well: this is the ninth house he has designed in the area over the years.
Defying gravity and setting the pace
Born in Gander, Newfoundland, and educated in architecture at McGill University, Mr. Saunders is best known for designs that defy both gravity and expectations.
One day, musician Alexander Grieg, a distant relative of composer and pianist Edvard Grieg, inherited a plot of land on Nordåsvannet. And this was just above the hill where Edvard Grieg’s house, Troldhaugen (now a museum dedicated to the composer’s life and work). He then asked Saunders Architecture to design the family home. The goal was to build a modern but modest residence for him and his family. The house would include a large space for families, a music studio, of course, and, above all, a breathtaking view of the water and treetops.
Kebony Character set to music in different widths
According to Saunders, modern architecture should not be based solely on straight lines, squares, and rectangles. He prefers to play with curves and playful contours.
A studio and a storage room are located in the triangular wing. The latter also includes the entrance and staircase of the house. The staircase climbs inside the sloping structure and leads to the raised part of the house, which contains the living areas and bedrooms. The stilt house “floats” above a pond, allowing the glow of the setting sun to filter through the curved walls of the house and onto the driveway.
The exterior of the house is clad with Kebony Character boards of various sizes and widths.
“I don’t really like perfection,” Saunders says of intentional variations. “It’s a little more irregular, and the eye stays active. I like the playful aspect of things—that’s why we twist, turn, and lift. These movements have a unique visual depth.
Minimal footprint
While the house has a captivating presence, its footprint is minimal in order to preserve existing trees and vegetation. Even the simple layout of the site was part of the overall vision. Designed by Saunders Architecture in collaboration with landscape architect Ragni Helweg, the site did not need to be leveled—the steel and concrete structure of the house adapts to the topography of the hillside.
The past, present, and future come together at Villa Grieg.
Awards and distinctions:
London International Design Competition, Residential Building, nominee, 2023
Dezeen Awards, shortlisted, 2022
DNA Awards Paris, nominee, 2022
Architizer A+ Awards, finalist, 2021