Vigi House is a minimal residence located in Copenhagen, Denmark, designed by Norm Architects. Set on a sloping plot in the neighborhood of Virum, just north of Copenhagen, the suburban Vigi House dating back to the 60’s has now been completely redesigned and pared back to its elegant and simple structure, emphasizing the spacious qualities within. While playing on the virtues of an open plan layout, the private family home features distinctive architectural elements, serving as thoughtful moments and monoliths that break up the space to create a stimulating flow. Now, a neutral color palette and lightly rendered walls allow for a minimalistic and modern aesthetic, whilst highlighting aspects from the original build. Originally, quite a lot of different materials where in play, which the studio wanted to tone down to create a more coherent and simplified space.

The architects decided to instead work with a few quality materials like natural oak wood flooring and a warm color palette that creates harmony. This way, they do the open plan layout justice and play on the spacious feeling of the home. While surely opting for a feeling of unity and interconnection throughout the home, the studio still wanted to work with the different levels, as they create spectacular moments in the architecture and form a seamless transition from one area to another. Now, existing architectural elements such as the brick foundations, timber cladding and the split-level layout has been preserved and remodeled to help create a modern mid-century, minimalist home. Shared spaces are opened-up and merged to help create a flow throughout the home, whilst architectural monoliths allow for private escapes and gallery nooks within the interior.

High-ceilings, open spaces and large black steel windows help frame the natural surroundings and enhance the continuity of space. When entering the home, one can look all the way up to a grand skylight that isn’t just allowing for natural light to fill up the space and create a sense of openness – it also discloses that there is more to the home than your average suburban villa. When entering the home, one can look all the way up to a grand skylight that isn’t just allowing for natural light to fill up the space and create a sense of openness – it also discloses that there is more to the home than your average suburban villa.

Photography by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen & Sandie Lykke Nolsøe