An Architect's Perspective on How Light and Aesthetic Sustainability Enhance the Summer House

Sounds, light, and the senses aren’t stimulated in our busy everyday lives, and according to architect Jesper Kusk, a summer house is one way to get closer to nature. We seek out nature when we head to our summer houses, but how can we create summer houses that respect the natural environment in which they’re situated?

Could you tell us a little about what you do on a daily basis?

On a daily basis, I work as an architect at my own firm. I’m very passionate about the quality of light, and I like to see outdoor life integrated into the workday, so we’ve been working on creating work pavilions that can extend the summer and blur the line between indoors and outdoors. It’s exciting because it’s something architects have been striving to achieve for generations. I’ve been involved in designing all kinds of buildings—from preschools to university facilities, environmental centers, and plenty of office buildings—so I’ve actually worked with every function, size, and scale of architecture.

I worked at some large architectural firms for many years, but the project at Følle Strand was what prompted me to strike out on my own as a solo architect. And now that I’ve started my own practice, I’ve realized that communities mean much more to me in my day-to-day work than the size of the project.

I’m driven by creating places where there’s social interaction, where people come together, and where a sense of warmth and connection emerges. I’m always looking for that place where social life and energy come through in the project. For me, there’s just as much joy in designing a small house as there is in a large-scale project, as long as there are sound values and intentions behind the project—ones we can stand behind in terms of material selection, quality, and sustainability. My colleagues and I always build with the ambition that our work will stand the test of time.

> I’m driven by creating places where there’s social interaction, where people meet, and where a sense of warmth and belonging emerges.

What characterizes a good summer house from your perspective?

If I were to think in very general terms, a good summer house is a place where you can take a break from a busy everyday life. Get a change of pace and find peace. Create a safe environment. We’re becoming more and more city dwellers, so we use the summer house to get out into nature and reconnect with it. We want to reconnect with nature, and that’s why it’s about restoring and establishing that natural connection between people and nature. The vacation home is, after all, an opportunity to embrace that—since they’re usually located in scenic areas, and by carefully framing the views from the vacation home, you can highlight the nature you want to be close to. We need to create that close relationship with nature—a place with plenty of natural light, where you can slow down. The architecture should support the desire to step outside, where there’s shelter, where there’s sun, and where there’s protection from the rain. Ultimately, for me, a good summer house is a place where you’re close to nature and where you can relax.

You’re working on a summer house project at Følle Strand. How’s it going?

The fisherman’s cottage at Følle Strand was nearly completed this late summer, and the project means a great deal to me. When Henrik, the owner of the summer house, showed me the lot, I made it clear that if we were going to build there, we had an obligation to do it right. As an architect, it was important for me to listen to Henrik’s needs and wishes and, beyond that, to try to understand the site and its history. After all, the Danish coast is characterized by its many fishermen’s cottages, and I felt it was essential to incorporate that narrative into the architecture. We looked at many different solutions and explored various angles. Where is there good natural light? Where can we create cozy nooks? And what challenges arise when building so close to the water? The summer house has become an interpretation of the old fishermen’s cottages, with the three units staggered from one another to create niches and cozy nooks both outside and inside.

> I believe that spending time and engaging in activities in nature improves people’s health and quality of life, so we spent a lot of time ensuring that daylight and fresh air could flow into the summer house.

What dreams and needs were to be fulfilled in the vacation home at Følle Strand?

Henrik had only 46 square meters to work with, so we had to think creatively about the layout. He dreamed of a place where the family could be together while small nooks and corners allowed for some alone time. The design of the vacation home as three small fishermen’s cottages means that in one room, you can sit and play cards all night with friends without disturbing the rest of the family, and when you need some rest the next day, you can close off the kitchen area, and the family’s activities can continue undisturbed. The idea is that everything flows together when the sliding doors are open, but that you can also close them off if you want to enjoy some time alone with a good book.

Følle Strand is characterized by views of both the Kalø Castle Ruins and Aarhus Bay. It was therefore only natural to install corner windows facing both directions, so that nature became an integral part of the house. I believe that spending time and engaging in activities in nature enhances people’s health and quality of life, so we devoted a great deal of time to ensuring that daylight and fresh air could flow into the summer house.

We’ve optimized the use of the limited square meters so that every window frame functions as a living space, and there are no hallways in the house that can’t be used as a reading nook or seating area. We approached it as if it were a ship—every space must be designed to accommodate many different kinds of activities. The space constraints presented an exciting challenge during construction at Følle Strand, because the family has such specific needs for their time at the vacation home. Among other things, the acoustics had to be optimized as much as possible due to the large glass sections, which is why wood was used on the walls, floors, and ceilings. It creates a special scent and indoor atmosphere, as it’s warm to the touch and warm to look at. It takes the edge off the hectic pace of everyday life. It provides a sense of calm.

In the bathroom, there is a single skylight that spans the full width of the room, making it feel as though the entire sky is above you while you bathe, while also allowing for ventilation. Having large windows throughout the house ensures a good indoor climate, and at the same time, they’re energy-efficient, as they retain heat throughout the winter months.

Why involve an architect in a vacation home project?

Well, when you choose to involve an architect, you can get a completely customized project tailored to your needs and dreams—something you won’t get from a prefab home builder. An architect familiarizes themselves with the site and its history where the home will be built. Of course, it’s important that the architect understands the type of client they’re working with and the kind of life that will be lived in the house. That’s why, as an architect, I draw many sketches that I might not actually believe in—I do it to be absolutely sure I don’t overlook anything. Should the summer house have been round? I can only decide that if I’ve seen it on paper. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution—you have to design the house the client dreams of, because otherwise you might as well not bother. I don’t think you should put a suit on people that doesn’t fit them.