Guest House No. 16

English description provided by the architects.

Amid the whispering pines of Northern Zealand, Denmark, the intimate guest house No. 16 stands as a serene coastal refuge.

Within these walls, the spaces recall the stillness of a Hammershøi interior, with gentle light falling softly across quiet surfaces, where classic proportions meet Scandinavian clarity.

Subtle echoes of Japanese aesthetics, rooted in imperfection, transience, and natural restraint, create a tactile poetry that invites well-being and a sense of timeless calm.

The aim is a timeless originality, where nothing feels imposed, and every element contributes to a coherent, immersive atmosphere.

The architectural language unfolds as a dialogue between cultures and eras.

These gestures are tempered by the understated clarity of Scandinavian design, where function, light, and simplicity frame everyday life with quiet beauty.

Set in a quiet forested enclave along the Danish coastline, the property is a short walk from the sea, where a kilometer of golden sand and rolling dunes stretches endlessly, offering solitude with every salt-tinged breeze.

Above it all, the shifting coastal light enchants, casting a fairytale-like glow that has long drawn artists and dreamers.

Inside, this dialogue with nature continues. Wood, stone, and lime wash create a tactile connection to the landscape, while the interplay of precise detailing and organic imperfection shapes interiors that are serene yet full of character.

Carefully layered textures and muted tones strike a balance between calmness and depth, grounding the house in authenticity.

The pine forests of Northern Zealand are serene landscapes where nature feels deliberately still.

Towering pines stretch skyward, their trunks forming elegant vertical rhythms with sunlight filtering through the canopy, creating dappled patterns on the forest floor.

Built in 1934 as an annex to a seaside guesthouse, No. 16 reflects the transitional architectural style of its era, blending neoclassical references with a nostalgic coastal charm.

The front door features hexagonal panels of thick, amber 'råglas' – a raw, dimpled glass that casts a warm band of light onto the stairwell inside.

Framed by a bay window overlooking a tennis court garden, the dining room is designed as a gathering place for slow meals and long conversations.

Like the rest of the house, the room balances intimacy with generosity – crafted as a place of respite, yet always ready to host and bring people together.

"Every detail is about creating a sense of calm and connection. Even the smallest elements are designed to shape the atmosphere – subtle pieces that invite people to linger, share a meal, and feel at home". - norm architects

Shaped to echo the atmosphere of the original seaside hotel, the living room combines refined detailing with a sense of rustic ease.

The result is a space that feels quiet and comfortable; a room for unwinding, where simplicity and material richness speak louder than decoration.

The ambition for the ground floor was to create a welcoming heart of the house, where everyday life unfolds in a fluid rhythm between rooms and the garden.

Each space is designed to support gathering and connection, yet with a quiet restraint that allows the architecture and materials to speak for themselves.

The living room is anchored by a newly built Swedish tiled stove in white ceramics with brass detailing – both sculptural and functional, it becomes a natural focal point during colder months.

Materiality plays a defining role in shaping the atmosphere. Rustic pine floors, original to the house, have been coarsely sanded, treated with lye and soap, and restored to a raw, rural character that is both tactile and practical to maintain.

All interior doors have been carefully restored and fitted with their original handles in brass and dark oak, dating back to the house's construction.

Throughout, the different architectural languages that define the project come together in balance.

Neoclassical detailing lends the rooms a sense of timeless elegance, while the Nordic tradition of seaside living brings a more rustic, unpretentious atmosphere.

The kitchen is custom-designed and crafted as both a functional workspace and a natural gathering place for daily life.

Rustic countertops in Italian limestone with a bush-hammered finish bring a tactile depth, while built-in cabinets and bespoke carpentry solutions ensure a seamless sense of order.

Developed in collaboration with Ancher Studio, a bespoke collection of ceramics has been designed for the guest house, tailored to a rustic and casual lifestyle by the coast.

A lounge area is designed as a calm retreat, where walls and ceiling are painted in the same muted shade, creating a cocoon-like atmosphere.

"It feels like living in your own private boutique hotel – a contemporary take on the Danish seaside hotel, where intimacy and grandeur go hand in hand". - norm architects

Each features handcrafted shutters inspired by Italian tradition, bespoke ceramic ceiling lamps, and wall colors developed by St. Leo specifically for this house.

Matching textiles, designed by Norm Architects for One Mario Sirtori, tie the interiors together, while several of the rooms can also be connected, allowing the floor to adapt seamlessly to families or larger groups.

The setting of the house evokes the serene elegance of Vilhelm Hammershøi's renowned interior paintings, where daylight filters in through windows to fill rooms with soft, diffuse luminosity – a hush that feels both timeless and intensely alive.

The color scheme throughout the house was developed with the same precision and care as the architectural details, rooted in the belief that subtlety can be more powerful than bold gestures.

Rather than relying on strong colors, the palette embraces a spectrum of muted, greyish tones that respond to shifting daylight and the changing seasons outside.

Each room carries its own nuance, carefully calibrated to its orientation and the way natural light enters, so that the walls become a canvas for atmosphere rather than decoration.

In this way, color becomes an architectural element in itself – shaping atmosphere, guiding perception, and amplifying the meditative stillness that defines the house.

In place of curtains, the bedrooms feature handcrafted shutters inspired by Italian tradition.

"The house evokes the serene elegance of Hammershøi's interiors, where daylight filters through windows to fill the rooms with a quiet, timeless luminosity." - norm architects

The upstairs master bathroom was completely reconfigured to create a spacious, serene retreat. Arches were introduced as part of the new layout, lending a sense of elegance and flow to the room.

The floor is finished with Kronos Ceramiche Block tiles in Bruge – also used in the spa-like basement – to establish a cohesive material palette.

The arches were introduced both as architectural doorways and as carved niches within the walls for displaying objects.

Their repeated presence creates a sense of rhythm and softness, breaking up the solidity of the space while adding sculptural depth.

Slender, minimalist wooden doors mimic the same curved form, reinforcing the dialogue between structure and detail.

Beyond their elegance, the arches serve a practical purpose – opening up the once-closed layout while offering alcoves that blend functionality with atmosphere.

Defined by bespoke furniture crafted without superfluous details, the space encourages a life of simplicity and clarity.

Steps carved from solid oak blocks at a local sawmill form the descent into the basement, setting the tone for the spaces below.

Here, a spa-like retreat unfolds alongside an intimate wine cellar, where raw materials and restrained details create an atmosphere of calm, tactility, and quiet indulgence.

"Shaped by Japanese notions of impermanence and simplicity, the spa-like basement embraces imperfection and time – where untreated oak, raw lime, and original beams create a retreat both meditative and grounding." - norm architects

Accessed by a staircase of solid oak blocks, freshly cut at a local sawmill and milled to exact dimensions, the descent itself becomes an experience.

Left untreated, the oak will slowly crack and patinate, allowing the passage of time to leave its quiet mark – a tangible nod to the Japanese design traditions that helped guide the design.

Inside, the walls and ceilings are finished with a breathable Jurassic lime glue, a material typically used only as a base layer but here left exposed for its raw, tactile beauty.

Applied across every surface, it lends the space a sense of cohesion, subtle texture, and natural depth, while remaining practical and durable.

The room is furnished with restraint, where even the smallest details carry meaning: a block of wood serves as a stool, a simple brush hangs on the wall, and a single table by Norm Architects anchors the space.

The exterior retains its original charm, with lime-washed walls in cottage red and ochre yellow.

Around the house, small seating groups follow the path of the sun – from morning coffee to evening cocktails – while the raised wooden terrace at the back enjoys full evening light beneath a canopy of old trees.

Accents of green-striped umbrellas and patinated brass lamps lend a subtle Mediterranean spirit, and at dusk, a golden glow settles over the house and garden alike.

Today, the building has been carefully transformed into a versatile space that extends the life of the guest house – serving as a place for photography, exhibitions, talks, and gatherings around a long communal table.

"From stable to studio, the annex has become a place for gathering and reflection – where raw materials and timeless craft nurture creativity and community." - norm architects

Once the stables for three horses, the standalone annex has been transformed into a versatile studio space that now serves as a backdrop for photography, exhibitions, intimate talks, long table dinners, and gatherings.

Measuring 40 sqm, the building combines its rustic heritage with a contemporary sense of refinement, becoming a setting that is both practical and atmospheric.

Walls are finished in lime, large Italian tiles ground the floor with subtle texture, and underfloor heating adds comfort to the otherwise pared-back space.

Designed with versatility in mind, it can serve as both a low display surface and a high dining table, easily adapting to the variety of uses the studio hosts.

Around it, carefully chosen objects bring cultural layers and inspiration.

Developed in collaboration with Danish Ancher Studio, a bespoke collection of ceramics was originally designed for the guest house, tailored to a rustic and casual lifestyle by the coast.

Featuring a light glaze over speckled clay, each piece recalls the textures of sand and stone, while the craftsmanship of Ancher's potters ensures durability.

Rooted in the design ethos of Norm Architects, the collection engages the senses and enriches everyday rituals with a comforting, organic presence.

"The No. 16 ceramics collection embodies refined simplicity and a deep connection to nature – enriching everyday rituals with quiet beauty and tactile presence." - norm architects

On two of the facades, engraved plaques in Italian stone carry the No. 16 logo, weaving history, name, and aesthetics into one coherent expression.

The identity extends beyond the architecture itself – appearing on notebooks, stationery, keychains, and other details – ensuring that every element contributes to a unified sense of place.