Sandbjerg Residence

Norm Architects have completed the interior refurbishment of a private residence north of Copenhagen, marrying country house charm and contemporary sophistication. The house is located in the idyllic landscape of Northern Zealand, Denmark. Surrounded by meadows and forests, the house sits intimately secluded in a nook of trees that open up to a park-like garden that brings light and air to the residence. The exterior of the house is a tribute to traditional Danish country houses, featuring a matte-rendered chalky taupe coloured façade, paned windows, thatched roof and granite stone settings. Everything inside out is made from the finest, largely locally sourced natural materials. Inside, the house comprises warm, balanced spaces with roughly textured surfaces, thoughtfully in-built and bespoke details. The overall mood and colour scheme of the exterior is translated into the interior with a raw, tactile material palette of wood, stone, natural fibre textiles and leathers dominating the open space plan of the house, combining farmhouse appeal, exclusive refinement and elegant, sculptural features. Designed to meet the needs of an active family that often hosts and entertains guests, the property comprises pool, tennis court and connected greenhouse. All materials chosen for the interiors are durable and easily maintained, only gaining beauty with time, wear and tear. Inspired by the family s lifestyle and frequent traveling, the home also contains elements characteristic of hospitality interiors. The open space layout of the house consists of monochrome spaces seamlessly transitioning into one another, with switching levels and materials defining the thresholds and functions of each individual space. In the master bedroom, large oak doors similar to those of the bedroom cabinets and wood panelled walls open up to the bathroom, featuring bespoke cabinets and basins, as well as a walk-in closet, elegantly resembling the layout of a hotel suite. In the bedroom section of the house, all walls are juxtaposed between lightly toned, bone-coloured walls and white oak. Some of the oak-panelled walls contain hidden or open storage as well as niches next to the bed and in the bathroom, serving as storage compartments or displays. The beautifully natural and textured surfaces inside the house include oak walls and bespoke, in-built cabinets, Dinesen Douglas Pine floors, as well as bespoke furniture in dark, smoked oak, blackened iron and Thala Grey Marble. The bench designed for the main entrance of the house is made from sawn smoked oak and Royal Nubuk Leather from Sørensen Leather. The elegant bar cabinet is designed in lamelled dark oak and blackened iron. The sculptural dining table stands as a magnificent centrepiece in the bright and stone-floored dining room with textured walls and paned, floor-to-ceiling windows.