WORLD ARCHITECTURE / LESSON TO BE LEARNED

Courtyard offers privacy and at same time
interaction for family summer compound

There is a phrase among American baseball and World soccer players that goes “stay within yourself.”  In baseball that means “don’t try to do more than you’re capable of for the situation.”  In soccer, it doesn’t mean don’t try—it simply means don’t try to score eight goals with one kick.

Staying within oneself in architecture is simply don’t over design.  Many young architects land a first client and try to utilize every design gadget known to the practice.

MAKA Arkiektur, a team of Daniel Hedner and Ylva der Hagopian, a Gothenburg, Sweden firm, has completed a summer cottage for three generations of one family to share.  The recently completed home is on a 500-square meter lot, which means there was not much space.  The design pays homage to the other similar architecture in this seaside locale in Skane County (southwest tip of Sweden).

Thankfully, principals didn’t channel their young inner Frank Gehry and instead delivered a clean, functional courtyard home with an inner garden that satisfies the comings and goings of a busy family on vacation with this clean lined and budget pleasing summer home. 

MAKA in its website makes our point by saying “as architects we strive for clarity, elegance and modesty; buildings that are beautiful and buildable...”

Well done, gentlemen.