THE WINE HOUSE
Norm Architects
ARCHITECTS
Norm Architects
MANUFACTURERS
Karimoku Case
PHOTOGRAPHS
Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, Karl Tranberg Knudsen
YEAR
2025
LOCATION
Sweden
CATEGORY
Landscape Architecture, Houses
English description provided by the architects.
Set within the gentle contours of the Swedish landscape, the transformation of Vinhuset marks the next chapter in our ongoing collaboration with Ästad Vingård – an estate where nature, craft, and hospitality intertwine.
Following the creation of Restaurant ÄNG and the lakeside retreat of Sjöparken, this new project extends the dialogue between architecture and terrain, deepening the sensorial experience that has come to define the vineyard's growing constellation of spaces and functions.
With the transformation of Vinhuset, we sought to quiet the architecture – stripping away irregularities to reveal a more timeless and composed expression.
As the structure is carved into a planted hillside, a series of interconnected levels, terraces, and grand outdoor staircases allow the building to shift subtly within the landscape, appearing smaller than it truly is.
The modern façade of clean lines contrasts the surrounding forest and spa buildings, while broad stairways and rhythmic railings become integral architectural gestures – drawing the eye upward, downward, and across the sweeping topography.
Green roofs continue the language established in Sjöparken, tying Vinhuset into the larger estate while allowing it to also carry its own more rural, raw, and grounded identity in the new extensions as well as interiors.
At the entrance, a wooden pergola frames the arrival with a sense of calm, inviting guests to slow down even before stepping inside.
Within, Vinhuset becomes a choreography of atmospheres.
The reception – where every stay begins – sets the tone with tactile materials, darker hues, and a comfortable acoustic shaped by brick flooring, heavy timber structures, and textured walls.
Adjacent, a small boutique houses the vineyard's own wines, curated ceramics, and crafted objects, anchored by a long wooden counter resting on carved stone, an homage to the raw nature surrounding the estate and to the spirit of the Michelin-starred Restaurant ÄNG out on the fields of the estate.
Throughout the building, views are carefully framed like living paintings, while a new orangery-like structure offers a full panorama over the lake and the nearby restaurant – providing an in-between space for lingering with a place for a glass of wine, a quiet morning coffee, or a moment by the fireplace.
Zones of intimacy unfold through soft textiles, semi- transparent curtains, and comfortable nooks, all balanced against the sturdiness of brick and timber.
A grand staircase in dark oiled oak leads to the upper floor, where the palette shifts into lighter tones.
Here, a colonnade defines a meditative space for yoga, relaxation, and unwinding. Outdoor terraces blend seamlessly into the hillside, guiding visitors up toward a rooftop where panoramic views complete the experience.
Vinhuset is a place of transition and immersion – a hub that connects the estate's many offerings while holding its own distinctive presence.
It expands the narrative we began with ÄNG and Sjöparken, reinforcing a shared ambition: to craft spaces that heighten awareness, invite reflection, and reconnect guests with the quiet rhythms of nature.
