Lit timber buildings stepping down a forested shoreline to a lake at dusk

The Fold

2026

A private art foundation on a Norwegian
shoreline, where galleries, studios and
guest houses step down to the water.

Location
Vestland, Norway
Year
2026
Site
12 ha
Building
3,100 m²
Program
Galleries, studios + guest houses
Status
Concept design

The Concept

The Fold is a home for a private art collection and a place for artists to live and work. Its buildings follow the fold of the land, stepping down the forested slope in a series of angular timber volumes, so that no single structure dominates the shore. The galleries sit highest, with the studios and guest houses below, each turned toward the water and the mountains beyond.

Aerial view at night of the lit buildings and jetty on the forested lakeshore
A lit path through tall pines leading to the low buildings by the lake
Timber houses lit at dusk along a forested lakeshore
The angular dark buildings glowing along the rocky shore at dusk
Terrace with a fire pit and lounge chairs below angular lit buildings by the lake
Dining hall with a long table and full-height windows onto the lake at night
Bedroom with a fireplace and a wall of glass onto the lake and mountains
Living room with a stone fireplace, bookshelves and glazing onto the lake
Master floor plan of the retreat along the shoreline
Section and lake elevation drawings of the stepped buildings
Artist studio with worktables and a large window onto the lake
Long gallery hall with a timber ceiling, paintings and sculptures

The Result

Arriving at The Fold is a slow descent from forest to water. Dark timber facades let the buildings recede into the pines by day and glow along the shoreline at night. Inside, the long gallery hall, the studios and the living spaces share one calm palette of wood, stone and glass, giving both the art and the landscape room to be seen.

Next Project

2026

Casa do Vale