Jaeren

Residential Apartment for Gudbjorg Simonsen AS

The story begins at Jaeren, a small area on the west coast of Norway known for its beautiful beaches. The client had bought his grandparent's apartment. Living elsewhere, he wanted to stay in his childhood favorite spot when visiting friends and family. Simonsen never actually met her client, but since the essence of her design philosophy is to understand and design her client's desires; how could she succeed in transforming the apartment to a contemporary version whilst preserving loving memories from his childhood? Simonsen turned to the nature at Jaeren.

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Jaeren by Gudbjørg Simonsen

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Residential Apartment by Gudbjørg Simonsen

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Gudbjørg Simonsen Jaeren

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Gudbjørg Simonsen Residential Apartment

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Jaeren Residential Apartment Press Releases

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Jaeren Residential Apartment Media Articles

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Unique Properties

First, it felt important to establish a connection with local materials, to the roots of the childhood environment. The raw, natural materials reinterpreted but converted to a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Secondly; designer open the facade with windows from floor to ceiling, allowing the outside to come in. She let nothing stand in front of the windows, but by adding curated elements inside she created an intimate space. Finally; the grandparents had a grand fireplace. She wanted to pay tribute to the memories and created the new fireplace just as grand, designing the living area around it to re-establish an emotional connection.

Tags

Penthouse, Jaeren, Lighting, Stonework, raw, natural, scandinavian interior

Production Technology

Designer wanted to create harmony and repetition in a way that each room enhances the other. She has tried to keep the overall impression raw, avoiding decorative overload. Instead allowing the lighting to have both a function and a decorative meaning. She used lighting in new ways and put the pendants to use as art-installation. The light in Jaeren is beautiful and she wanted to reflect that in the interior. The overall color palette is quite dark. Feeling very intimate. The sober tone of the interior is contrasted with a splash of color form a fresh green velur repeated in different pieces of furniture.

Design Challenge

Designer has a strong aspiration to design and fulfill her clients ’own desires of a good home. This was the most challenging part of the project, as she never met her client. Still, she hopes she has managed to accomplish this by finding inspirations in her clients ’roots. A new home which treasures the memory of the grandparents but also represents the new owner and his personality, combining functional spaces with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Project Duration

The project started in january 2021 and completed in june 2022 in Jaeren. Designer has tried to amplify the idea of her clients roots by using local craftsmen that knows the natural materials from Jæren. Whom also pays particular attention to details.

Operation Flow

It was necessary to create a new layout, her client’s lifestyle is different from his grandparents. Designer thought a lot about what was needed to establish an emotional connection, since she proposed a new clean layout. The grandparents had a grand fireplace, she wanted to keep the memories of this and created the new fireplace just as grand. The fireplace is an important element in Scandinavian design and in earlier times it was essential in our harsh environment to keep them warm. But now it's only for emotional "hygge". The new fireplace is visible from all living area and creates a warm atmosphere. The project started in january 2021 and completed in june 2022 in Jaeren. Designer has tried to amplify the idea of her clients roots by using local craftsmen that knows the natural materials from Jæren. Whom also pays particular attention to details.

Research

Designer started by researching local materials. Stone has been an important element in the project – it is repeated in every room. She has also used a great deal of wood. She finds that the effect of the climate on wood in the local surroundings adds something unique to the project. Designer has searched for materials that change over time without needing to be replaced, but instead give a sense of permanence. Allowing it to change with new life. New use. As life across generations. She searched for sculptural light fixtures. A groove surface glass is meant to represent the sunlight breaking though the clouds.

Inspiration

This story begins at Jaeren, a small area on the west coast of Norway known for its beautiful beaches. The landscape in Jaeren is low and flat only divided by its signature «steingarder» - stone fences made built by hand. The weather conditions are harsh and constantly changing, resulting in a mistful light - a natural phenomenon that has been a source of admiration admired by artists for centuries. The client had bought his grandparents apartment. Living elsewhere, he wanted to stay in his childhood favorite spot when visiting friends and family. The designer never actually met her client, but since the essence of her design philosophy is to understand and design her clients ’desire; how could she succeed in transforming the apartment to a contemporary version whilst preserving loving memories from his childhood? Designer turned to the nature at Jaeren. To her clients roots. To the raw, the genuine. And so the transformation process in his grandparents ’home could begin.

Image Credits

Photographer: Arne Bru Haug

Project Overview

Jaeren Residential Apartment has been a Iron winner in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design award category in the year 2022 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

Iron Recognition

Gudbjørg Simonsen was recognized with the coveted Iron A' Design Award in 2023, a testament to excellence of their work Jaeren Residential Apartment.

Gudbjørg Simonsen Press Releases

Journalists and media members can enrich their content with our press releases on Gudbjørg Simonsen, available for free use. Immediate access is granted to 1 press releases for all journalists.

Transforming Memories into Contemporary Design: Jaeren Residential Apartment

Gudbjørg Simonsen reimagines a childhood favorite spot into a contemporary living space in Jaeren, Norway, blending nature-inspired elements with modern design.

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