Aluminum-clad cabins on Arctic island resort offer protection against extreme weather and salty water

Architects are now using aluminium to add design flexibility and durability in various constructions within extreme climate conditions. Four years ago, Norway’s Snorre Stinessen added the finishing touches to a cluster of seaside cabins at Manshausen Island, a private resort located within the Arctic Circle. The architect completed four cabins in 2015 with wood-clad structures cantilevered out over the frigid waters and used floor-to-ceiling windows to offer panoramic views of the coastline to the guests.

The architect now has added a few more cabins to the construction, offering adventure seekers more options to relax, unwind, and explore the Arctic surroundings. The three additional cabins are made from cross laminated timber and clad in aluminium sheets.  The purpose of using laminated timber and aluminium was to withstand the impact of extreme Arctic conditions along with the salty water below. Like other cabins, they also have floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides.

Stinessen has also added a sauna and relaxation area that connects with a seawater pond in the island’s center. He says this was actually made from the aluminium, timber and glass that were left over from the construction of the original cabins, along with discarded slate roof tiles.

The Manshausen 2.0 extension project won nominations for various architecture awards, including the 2019 Architizer A+Awards and the 2019 Dezeen Award. The project took out the International Design Awards Architectural Design of the Year.