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Frisian Style: An Otherworldly Former Hay Loft Transformed in the North Sea

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Tiled WallsIssue 38 — Small Quarters

Frisian Style: An Otherworldly Former Hay Loft Transformed in the North Sea

September 22, 2017

Noted recently: A former hay loft in a farmhouse on the small island of Föhr (technically belonging to the Nordfriesland district of Germany) in the North Sea. Architects Karin Matz of Sweden and Francesco Di Gregorio of Italy took their cues from traditional Frisian style: Think shades of blue, elements of the nautical (a nod to the island’s history as a center of navigation in the 17th century), wood-lined rooms, and small, dark bedrooms called “bed boxes” that feel distinctly like ships’ cabins. Here’s their modern take.

Photography courtesy of Francesco Di Gregorio.

the farmhouse is in the traditional frisian style, thatched roof included. 17
Above: The farmhouse is in the traditional Frisian style, thatched roof included.
the duo started by taking down most of the interior walls to create a long, ope 18
Above: The duo started by taking down most of the interior walls to create a long, open kitchen/dining/living space, divided by a rope-lined staircase and lined in light wood.

Inspired by the blue and white Frisian tiles traditional on the island, the designers installed a statement-making update (on a budget): 3,200 simple white tiles with holes hand-drilled (by the architects and the client), allowing powder blue cement to show through and create a pattern of dots. “It becomes the central wall going through and unifying the space,” the architects say.

the small kitchen features pale wood cabinets with open under counter shelving 19
Above: The small kitchen features pale wood cabinets with open under-counter shelving on one end.
the light filled dining area. 20
Above: The light-filled dining area.
in an effort to keep the space open—and with a nod to maritime design&#x 21
Above: In an effort to keep the space open—and with a nod to maritime design—the staircase is bordered by 500 meters (1,640 feet) of blue polypropylene rope. (For more like this, see Netscapes: 9 Stairwells with Nautical Enclosures and Rails.)
translucent doors lead from the living area to the small interior bed boxes and 22
Above: Translucent doors lead from the living area to the small interior bed boxes and make the most of the natural light that comes in through the slanted roof.
in the living area, the color palette evokes the building&#8\2\17;s history 23
Above: In the living area, the color palette evokes the building’s history as a hay loft.
the bright living area, beams included. look carefully on the tiled wall and yo 24
Above: The bright living area, beams included. Look carefully on the tiled wall and you can see the small punch-out window that lets light in to one of the sleeping areas.
the entry to one of the bed boxes. 25
Above: The entry to one of the bed boxes.
inspired by frisian bed boxes that are &#8\2\20;small, dark, and all the sa 26
Above: Inspired by Frisian bed boxes that are “small, dark, and all the same size,” the bedrooms have wood-paneled floors, ceilings, and walls, all painted blue. They’re “private, like nests,” the architects say. 
though the bed boxes are small and intentionally dark, windows let in natural l 27
Above: Though the bed boxes are small and intentionally dark, windows let in natural light during the day. Even the corner sconce is painted blue.
built in shelves and cabinets under the bed add storage to the small space. 28
Above: Built-in shelves and cabinets under the bed add storage to the small space.
a twin size nook, with a small cutout window looking to the living area outside. 29
Above: A twin-size nook, with a small cutout window looking to the living area outside.
a window in the eaves. 30
Above: A window in the eaves.
frisian charm: a window is cut into the thatched roof. 31
Above: Frisian charm: A window is cut into the thatched roof.
in the evening. 32
Above: In the evening.
despite its quiet landscape, the island is exposed to the elements and at the m 33
Above: Despite its quiet landscape, the island is exposed to the elements and at the mercy of the sea: “Föhr is very much in the hands of natural forces,” the architects say. “The area has a big tide. When the water is low you walk over to other islands. To protect the island, manmade grass walls surrounds half of the island.”
a beach, in fog. 34
Above: A beach, in fog.

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