Set within the sloping terrain of Oslo’s residential fabric, A31-A by KOHT Arkitekter demonstrates a precise and thoughtful response to site and scale. The house is situated on a tight plot, nestled between vegetation and neighboring structures. Rather than imposing on the land, the building gently negotiates with it, anchored into the incline while maintaining visual and spatial openness toward the garden and sky.
A31-A House Technical Information
- Architects1-2: KOHT Arkitekter
- Location: Oslo, Norway
- Gross Area: 123 m2 | 1,323 Sq. Ft.
- Project Years: 2018 – 2022
- Photographs: © Marius Viken
Two spaces connected by a long wall makes up the main living area of this compact family house.
– KOHT Arkitekter
A31-A House Photographs
Architectural Strategy and Spatial Structure
The gabled roof form and timber cladding establish continuity with vernacular typologies, yet the detailing and articulation are distinctly contemporary. The restrained volume and modest scale speak directly to KOHT’s commitment to site specificity, minimizing disruption while maximizing spatial potential within its compact footprint.
At the heart of the design lies a defining architectural gesture: a continuous linear wall that functions as both a spatial and conceptual spine. This wall organizes the house’s primary functions, separating the living and dining zones while structuring circulation and spatial thresholds.
The floor plan is organized into two volumes: one housing the living area and the other the kitchen and dining room. Between them, the central corridor and stairway define a mediating space, with services and vertical circulation tucked efficiently alongside. This spatial hierarchy is further expressed in the building’s section, where the staggered topography is carefully resolved, allowing natural light to penetrate deep into the plan from multiple directions.
The open-plan kitchen and dining area occupy the east end of the house, illuminated by large windows and a glazed door that opens onto a recessed balcony. This space flows seamlessly into the rest of the home, its rhythm structured by exposed rafters and a pitched ceiling that accentuates the longitudinal axis. At the opposite end, the living room is more introspective, oriented to the garden with more enclosure, emphasizing warmth and privacy.
Material Palette and Interior Atmosphere
Material choices throughout A31-A are deliberately restrained but rich in texture and construction clarity. The exterior is clad in dark-stained vertical timber, echoing traditional Norwegian barn typologies while ensuring durability and tactility. Window and door frames made of natural wood introduce a warm contrast and continuity between the inside and outside.
Internally, the house embraces a palette of pine and concrete, creating a sense of both warmth and robustness. Exposed plywood ceilings, visible joists, and fine-grained timber floors establish a visual and structural continuity across rooms. The transitions between polished concrete, cork, and wood underfoot mark shifts in program and use, subtly guiding movement and perception.
The bathroom and utility spaces demonstrate the same attention to detail, featuring white mosaic tiles, minimal fixtures, and natural light that yield a sense of hygiene and calm without excess.
Compact Living and Domestic Precision
At just 123 square meters, A31-A offers a compact yet deeply considered vision for contemporary family living. It resists the tendency toward excess, favoring instead a rigorous exploration of what is essential. Rooms are scaled and shaped to support day-to-day life with generosity and adaptability.
This house is not about a minimalist aesthetic as a style, but about clarity as a spatial ethic. Each material, junction, and volume is part of an architectural grammar that prioritizes order, orientation, and light. The building’s compactness is not a constraint, but a condition that invites invention.
By aligning architectural intention with domestic need, KOHT Arkitekter contributes to the ongoing discourse around Nordic housing, demonstrating how modest homes can embody design intelligence, environmental response, and enduring relevance.
A31-A House Plans
A31-A House Image Gallery
About KOHT Arkitekter
KOHT Arkitekter is a dynamic Oslo–based architectural practice founded in late 2016 by Anders Bjørneseth, Kenneth Lønning, Jonas Velken Kverneland, and Christopher Wilkens. The studio, with a team of six architects, works across a range of scales, from single-family homes and cabins to urban planning and institutional projects, driven by a belief in strong conceptual clarity and close collaboration with clients, rooted in a sensitive understanding of the site and its context.
