Concept sketches of some iterations on one of my favourite housing types: the atrium house. In my opinion it is self-evident that a garden space should be considered just as necessary of a room in a house as a kitchen or bathroom. In this typology, the garden becomes structurally integrated with the house itself. Partially protected by the house and partially demarcated by a surrounding wall, the garden becomes a sheltered outdoor room with a high degree of privacy while remaining open to the landscape. Atrium houses can be arranged in clusters adapted to the terrain, such that a shared access road with common gardens can be established on the other side. Each dwelling lies therefore in between a public space on one side and a private garden on the other, in a settlement structure that can become quite dense. I wish we had more opportunities to create this type of «low and dense» construction today. ***

Various pages from my sketchbooks, September - October 2025. All of these are in size A4. ***

Another round of drawings from my sketchbooks from September to October 2025. Various environment studies and house ideas. I had a lot of time to do drawings in size A4 over this period. ***

Some recent sketches of some house ideas and inspiring places (from my smaller sketchbook; I will post others from my larger sketchbook next week). 1) An idea for a house that consists of a shared ground floor and several private living spaces that are placed in their own "towers" that are extruded up from this common base. On top of the common volume there could be a roof garden, which can be extended down into the plan with an atrium. Not the most energy-efficient starting point, but this organisation would offer distinct spatial experiences and the opportunity to create a variety of unique zones of activity and privacy. It could also work well for a type of collective. 2) An idea for a house within a greenhouse. Here a Japanese-style veranda is enclosed in glass to create a conservatory over two levels that surrounds the living spaces. Imagine being able to slide open a door and enter a space with plants and light from any side of the house. To further enhance the experience, the ho

Various pages from my sketchbooks, July-August 2025. Over the summer I always look forward to having more time on average to draw. I have been drawing a lot of interiors lately, inspired by the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi. Also some environment studies. ***

A study of row houses in Frostaskjól, Vesturbær, Reykjavík. Designed by Teiknistofan Óðinstorgi and built in 1980. Vesturbær is a district on the peninsula in the west of Reykjavík, which through the years was the cradle of fishing activity in the city. It demonstrates beautifully the underrated urban potential of the house typology that the Norwegians call "småhus", where small dwellings both free-standing and connected achieve a density of 30-50 dwellings per hectare with a delightful variation of spatial and architectonic qualities. The row houses in Frostaskjól (together with the area in its entirety) are an excellent example of my favourite building type "low and dense" (Nor. tett lav): an attempt to combine the connection to the earth of the single-detached house with the density of the apartment building. When properly designed, low and dense construction can offer inhabitants great freedom to form and expand their own home, as well as new possibilities for social interaction. E