Hee House / Studio Ellsinger

Architects: Studio Ellsinger
Area: 506 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Christopher Hunt
Lead Architects: Mikael Ellsinger
Contractor: Svenneby Bygg AB
Kitchen Design: Nadén Studio
Bathroom Fittings: Nadén Studio
City: Hee
Country: Sweden

Villa Hee, a vacation home designed by Studio Ellsinger in Hee, south of Hamburgsund on Sweden’s West Coast, responds to the site’s rugged climate and natural terrain through compact and vertical architecture. Commissioned by a couple active in architecture and photography, the project measures 7×7 meters at its base but rises 7 meters in height. A laminated timber frame eliminates the need for interior bracing, enhancing openness. The house features untreated aluminum cladding and a loft supported by a custom bookshelf, combining storage, structure, and spatial separation to accommodate eight sleeping places.

Villa Hee is a small vacation house with unexpectedly large interior volumes. Designed by Studio Ellsinger, the home is located in Hee, just south of Hamburgsund on Sweden’s West Coast. The region’s demanding coastal climate informed the project’s architectural response and material palette. Sited on a flat, generously proportioned plot defined by pine trees, rock, and meadow grass, the house is oriented on a strict north-south axis. Its northern side is enclosed to block views from the road and neighboring properties, while the south and east façades open onto surrounding fields and forest.

The clients—a young couple with two children—work professionally in architecture and design, one as a photographer and the other as a writer. Their experience enabled a collaborative and experimental design process. Every component was custom-developed for the project, including exterior panels, window systems, kitchen fixtures, and furniture. Their willingness to adopt nonstandard solutions supported the development of a highly tailored home where every element contributes to its spatial and material logic.

Though its footprint measures only 7×7 meters, the house rises vertically to 7 meters in height. To preserve the experience of this interior volume, roof loads were redirected into a horizontal laminated timber frame. This strategy eliminates the need for interior bracing or overhead beams, ensuring visual continuity and uninterrupted space. The roof, gables, and cantilevered canopy are all clad in untreated sinusoidal aluminum sheeting, selected for its durability against wind and rain.

The building is structured around a main double-height space, partially divided by a mezzanine loft. Beneath the loft lie the hallway, bathroom, and primary bedroom. The loft rests on a full-width built-in bookshelf, which acts as a structural support and spatial partition. The shelf also integrates storage for both kitchen and living areas and includes a built-in fireplace. The loft contains a children’s lounge, two bunk beds, a sofa bed, and a workspace. A 4-meter-high curtain allows the area to be closed off for privacy. In total, the compact home accommodates eight full-length sleeping places, providing flexibility for visiting family while maintaining clarity in design and function.