- Interior
- Architecture & development
Sometimes, it seems like memories from past summers stay with you more persistently than others. In Liseleje, a small coastal town near Copenhagen, architect Danielle Siggerud always returns to a place that is permanently fixed in her identity. The original cabin where she spent several summer months as a child was irrevocably decayed, so she decided to create a new design that refurbishes and polishes the nostalgia of then and gives it a new life.
The studio of the Norwegian was founded in 2016. Today, she is involved in international projects in London, New York, Stockholm, and Paris, among others. Next to architectural projects and interior design, she focuses on furniture and smaller objects. There is no denying the greatness which defines her reputation and portfolio, but sometimes you need to return to something humbler. Even though she was born in Oslo, the architect has roots in Denmark. Not only her own personal history but also that of her whole family is connected to the idyllic Liseleje, where they have had a summer residence through generations since the beginning of 1900s. The place bursts of memories, and that deserved a reinterpretation that can secure many more memorable moments. Naturally, this project was very personal from the start, because of which the result is all the more fulfilling. 
You cannot eliminate context from her design language, and surely not in this case. Whether it concerns the rudimental dimensions of a house or the final details, each project possesses a uniqueness that is defining for the direction that the design explores. Spatiality and materials needed to enhance one another, while her approach always remains instinctive. By mastering the important aspects of architecture, such as proportions and light, she creates a simplicity each time that she fully makes her own. Moreover, to her architecture is mainly a question of eliminating all excess and bringing the essence to the fore, with a typical visual calmness as the result. Emotions, human interaction, and serenity are the primary elements that she wants to conjure and stimulate with her work.
The traditional Danish houses were a prominent source of inspiration
Where the exterior of this design contains a steadfast darkness, there is unlimited sunlight entering the interior. The traditional Danish houses were a prominent source of inspiration, which led to the new design effortlessly fitting in with the surroundings. For this project, reinterpreting was the most valuable key word. She took this rather literally in several ways, considering that the shape of the property, the orientation, and the views remained unchanged. The bedrooms are still facing the south and the stones of the original fireplace are reused to their full potential. Furthermore, some elements were reworked into a new and better version, whereas other things were eliminated together with the original house. The loose furnishing, such as furniture pieces, lighting, ceramics, paintings, and books, was given a conscious and emotional new place. Because of this, the property does not only feel like the familiar summer home, but it is also an impressive project that is able to shine without preexisting knowledge. 
By demolishing the old, decayed summer home of her family and coming up with a reinterpretation, architect Danielle Siggerud attached her name to a very special project. The personal context from which this result originated, speaks volumes. We wish her and her family lots of new memories in this personal place. 
Photography by Wichmann + Bendtsen Photography