Amidst the lyme grass and the west wind’s wide expanses
Among the outer rim of dunes at Søndervig lies a new holiday house. Its exterior blends in with the traditional regional style, despite only being finished in spring 2020.
Ebbe Dueholm Sunesen bought a plot of land in 2018 that rarely comes up for sale. Amidst the outer dunes of Søndervig’s windswept and breathtaking raw natural setting, he has had a new holiday house designed and built that fits perfectly into the landscape. The house is surrounded by nature – just open the door and you’re standing in it.
It is shaped like an elongated rectangle, and the side facing the North Sea is simply designed, with large windows providing a view to the scenery.
“We’ve utilised every drop of potential the site has. The house is elongated, so you can look out into the dune landscape no matter where you are. As you arrive, you drive over a small hill – a border of sorts marking that you are now on holiday and have left the noise and bustle of traffic behind you,” says Ebbe Dueholm Sunesen.
He lives in Copenhagen, and the holiday house will primarily be rented out. But Ebbe Dueholm Sunesen has fallen in love with the house set among the dunes, and it has therefore also become a new gathering place for his family, who live scattered around Denmark.
Quest for warmth and naturalness
The holiday house was built using classic materials for the region, including a thatched roof and reddish-brown bricks.
“We’ve tried to create a house similar in style to the old dune farms. But we have removed all the intricacies of the romantic provincial style and have opted for a more minimalist look.
Ebbe Dueholm Sunesen characterises the interior as 1970s style, with rendered walls and exposed beams and a preference for materials such as oak, stone and leather.
“I have a fondness for old things and materials that patinate. This is driven by a quest for warmth and naturalness – rather than the glossy and polished surfaces you often find in new homes. I have also used colours – not just grey, black or white.”
The holiday home was built by the father of one of Ebbe Dueholm Sunesen’s friends, who has specialised in this type of west coast house for 30 years. In addition to being able to withstand wear and tear from tenants, the house has to be rugged enough to endure the harsh west wind.
Nature incorporated into architecture
The very open rooms and high ceilings represent an acoustic challenge in the newly built home. Troldtekt acoustic ceilings in the colour natural wood were therefore installed in the house.
“Everyone comments on how good the acoustics are, without being prompted. There are a few rooms with no Troldtekt panels, such as the bathroom, and you immediately notice the difference. They reverberate, and it’s not pleasant to be in these rooms in the same way as in the rest of the house.”
The holiday house was designed by Anni Baun Danielsen from BaunArkitektur. Incorporating nature into the house has been one of the goals of the architecture. Troldtekt has played a key role in this regard, she notes:
“When you’re inside the house and looking up at the Troldtekt panels, it’s almost like seeing the thatched roof from beneath.”
“This is precisely the organic effect we wanted for the holiday house,” adds Ebbe Dueholm Sunesen.
