High up on the slopes of Varden in Kvitfjell, Norway, lies the Trippel Hytte—three quaint cabins designed to encapsulate the spirit of the mountains and meet the practical needs of a skiing family. Mork-Ulnes Architects have achieved a masterful blend of functionality and form in this mountain retreat, offering stunning vistas of the Norwegian landscape while respecting the region’s architectural heritage.
Trippel Hytte Technical Information
- Architects1-2: Mork-Ulnes Architects
- Location: Kvitfjell, Norway
- Topics: Cabins
- Area: 1,500 ft2
- Project Year: 2021
- Photographs: © Anne Bråtveit, © Ivar Kvaal
Designed for a family of five avid skiers, this collection of three small cabins is skewed to orient each structure towards views of high mountain tops in the distance.
– Mork-Ulnes Architects
Trippel Hytte Photographs
A Confluence of Tradition, Modernity, and Nature in Norway’s Varden
The word “Varden” in Norwegian refers to a stack or collection of stones typically found at the tops of mountains or hills, marking a path or hilltop. Fittingly, Trippel Hytte sits at a junction of cross-country and downhill ski trails, perched at the top of Varden. In a similar spirit, the retreat is designed as a collection of three individual cabins that create a sense of unity, all the while offering orientation toward the breathtaking views of the high mountain tops in the distance.
The three cabins, skewed in orientation, offer an asymmetrical but balanced composition that seamlessly integrates with its surroundings. The design also references the agricultural buildings common in the region, which often evolve over generations as the needs and means of families dictate. Large floor-to-ceiling windows transform the living spaces into a visual continuum with the snowy outdoors, giving residents an inside-out relationship with the captivating landscape.
The 1,500-square-foot retreat is compartmentalized into functional spaces that cater to its residents’ lifestyles. The complex houses a great room, three bedrooms, a loft playroom with additional sleeping space, a bathroom complete with a sauna, a guest annex with a bath, and a specialized ski waxing room. Every design choice made is in harmony with the practical needs of a family of five avid skiers.
Consistent with the local building tradition, wooden roof gutters are extended from the edges of the building. This serves a dual purpose: a nod to architectural history and a functional design element to move water away from the wood siding.
The Trippel Hytte by Mork-Ulnes Architects is not just another mountain retreat; it is a masterful embodiment of Norwegian culture and a homage to the architectural traditions of the region. Yet, it speaks the language of modern design, ensuring that it meets the needs of today’s active families. Located at a place where cross-country and downhill ski trails meet, the retreat serves as both a marker and a destination, much like the Vardens it spiritually emulates.
Trippel Hytte Image Gallery
About Mork-Ulnes Architects
Mork-Ulnes Architects is an internationally recognized architecture firm with offices in San Francisco, California, and Oslo, Norway. Founded by Casper Mork-Ulnes, the firm combines Scandinavian pragmatism with California’s innovative spirit to create sustainable, functional, and aesthetically appealing designs.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Design Team: Phi Van Phan, Erling Berg, Casper Mork-Ulnes, Lexie Mork-Ulnes
- Collaborators: From Bygg, Nordplan
