Luxury retreats designed around or immersed in nature convey many reasons to be deemed such successful architectural templates. This appeal of hospitality architecture embraced in nature requires creative panache to be realised sincerely and effectually, enabled through thoughtful and considered design consistencies. Luxury hotels have rarely been about just lodging anyway—guests here demand immersive, contextual and soul-indulging experiences. What narrative nuances play into this nature-engulfed hospitality paradigm? 

Carrying an overarching intent of amplifying connections with nature, Sjöparken by Norm Architects reveals itself as "a sanctuary of understated luxury," confident in its calm, composed and poised demeanour. Conceived for the Ästad Vingård, one of the largest vineyards in Sweden known for its sparkling wines, the waterside retreat connected by expansive glass corridors promises an extraordinary experience to its gastro-guests, its architecture drawing from the elegance of Nordic simplicity, the timeless traditions of Japanese design, and the tropical allure of resort living.

Perched delicately among the peaceful beech forests of Halland, Sweden, the hospitality design places at the heart of its concept, seven clustered villas seemingly and lightly afloat on an artificial lake. With its fair wood details and gently pitched roofs, Sjöparken’s architecture is indicatively Nordic: it draws from Sweden’s simple fishing huts with a wooden pier anchored to lakes and the recognisable glass corridors of Denmark’s Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. This is juxtaposed with transitional spaces of the column-lined walkways between each unit, the louvred elements and the wooden deck, all citing elements of traditional Japanese architecture, as well as the typical water villa typology of resorts in tropical regions.

Together, this minimalist enclave of luxurious yet humble-seeming hotel rooms balances distinct influences and subtly takes on a hybrid, sui-generis character of its own, tranquil in both form and function. To quote the Copenhagen-based architects, "Each corner [here] tells a story of simplicity, unity, and the spirit of the place, creating an unparalleled experience where thoughtful design and nature come together in perfect harmony.”

Despite its many cues, the contextual design comes about in a cohesive, neat style that is purposely restrained, with each villa integrating four hotel rooms via sleek glass corridors. Circulation is often considered one of the most overlooked elements of architecture, reduced to its bare function. Here, transitionary spaces are given the same attention as the hotel’s main areas, elevating it to an experiential element visually in dialogue with its surroundings. This cohesion expressively refers to its site’s history by emulating the sensation of strolling through an open-air village.

The bucolic site is home to around 30,000 vines of the Solaris grape cultivated organically on the premises, apart from a hundred vines of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Swedish farm also hosts the Sinnenas Spa and three restaurants: Smakbaren at Sinnenas Spa, Restaurant Logen and the Michelin-starred Restaurant ÄNG, and is now joined by the warmth and quiet luxury of the new Sjöparken. The location thus, evolves, in its scale and offering, “representing the convergence of aesthetic values and a harmonious expression as various elements of the estate align and come together in unity,” the Danish studio shares in their press statement.

Exuding simplicity, the lakeside retreat was borne of an architectural vision to create an ideal setting for intimate rituals of self-care. An unmistakable flavour permeating every facet of the wellness retreat is its emphasis on and direct integration with the natural landscape—"This emphasis on connectivity is not just a design choice; it's a testament to the genius loci of the place embedded in both the architecture and interior spaces,” the Danish architects explain. 

This deliberate permeability is also witnessed in other areas of the minimal architecture, whether it be dipping in the private bathing jetties nestled in the lake, unwinding in the in-room saunas, or gazing through the hotel’s expansive bedroom windows—each bespoke design detail builds towards a consistent story, leading to moments of “unparalleled communion with nature,” asserts Norm Architects. The minimal design of the spaces and the employed décor furthers the serene atmosphere, generating “a framework for immersive experiences, focusing on stillness, togetherness and well-being,” they add. 

The project is all about balance. We wanted to create something that could stand out and be spectacular in the most understated and natural way possible—a project that seems like the most natural thing for this place and at the same time, as something otherworldly and unique. – Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, architect and co-founding partner, Norm Architects

As apparent, the guests’ well-being is considered a crucial aspect of the space, justifying the choice of the abundant raw materials employed, as well as the way sunlight is channelled through lamellas, louvres, textiles and skylights in the contextual architecture. Through the villas’ design, the connections established with the water body as well as the natural surroundings instinctively put one at ease. From natural light hitting the surface of the water to its scent, sound and biophilic life, all tactile elements add to the experience of Sjöparken.

This relevant interplay between the interior and exterior extends beyond just aesthetic choices, seeping into how the spaces are shaped and ultimately utilised—sunlight perfuming the hotel’s rooms, the materials mirroring natural elements, as well as the fluid circulations established within the hotel’s architecture, are all described as ‘intentional gestures’—“the connection to the surrounding nature is not a mere afterthought but a guiding principle that has influenced architectural and design decisions alike… It's not merely about constructing a building; it's about crafting an experience that resonates with the soul of Ästad Vingård,” they reiterate.

Another subtle, referential manoeuvre is the hotel’s design also alluding to local Swedish building traditions: the wooden cladding and green roofs directly pay homage to the region’s architectural heritage, creating visual coherence with its surroundings. As the villas’ architecture forms a floating artificial village, uninterrupted views of the waterbody remain omnipresent, with each unit enjoying its discreet private pool concealed beneath the lake’s surface, accessed by a wooden deck leading into the bedroom and lounge space. The suites feature stone ensuites and a wooden sauna by the water's edge, with the stove lowered into the floor.

Almost still in its mellowness, the hospitality interiors exude warmth and cosiness, enabled through the warm-toned walls dressed in oakwood cladding, the intricate texture of soft textiles, coupled with the sensory allure of natural stone and ceramics. This further connects with the tones of the adjacent forested area and the rippling waters that surround the contemporary architecture.

"The material palette is crafted to interact harmoniously with the ever-changing Swedish nature just beyond the windows. Rather than competing with the external landscape, it serves as a balanced foundation, offering warmth and coolness, softness and hardness, tactility and smoothness. Adapting to the changing weather and seasons, it serves to enhance the overall sensory experience,” describes Hedda Klar, interior designer at Norm Architects.

Inside, strategically placed wooden louvres create a seamless separation between the lounge and bedroom, striking a balance between privacy and transparency. Extending beyond visual delight, this element transforms filtered light into mesmerising yet subtle wall art, eliminating the need for additional, louder décor.

“This way of filtering daylight adds a magical touch, resulting in rooms that evolve and captivate throughout the day. Whether the light reflects off the dolomite plaster ceilings or the wooden cladding, the atmosphere undergoes a mesmerising transformation. The interplay of light, creating dynamic triangles or softly filtering through the natural fibres of draping, ensures each experience is uniquely varied,” they elaborate.

To complement this essence of channelled daylight is the lighting design implemented in the hotel’s interiors, crucial for occupant comfort. In collaboration with Anker&Co, Norm Architects worked on sustaining the calm ambience of the project through soft illumination that delicately accentuates the space instead of dramatically taking over.

Due to the rooms’ compact sizes, doors were concealed to maintain a streamlined presence, with only their handles visible. Doors to the wardrobe, sauna, cabinet and bathroom are all discreetly integrated into the interior design.

It would be fair to say that with each creative endeavour, Norm Architects preach the beauty of Scandinavian minimalism and the value of understated aesthetics and Sjöparken is no exception. Through harmonising luxurious living with the untouched beauty of the Swedish landscape, the villas quietly beckon those of us seeking an escape into nature, giving into the deeply human urge and sanctity to spend pockets of time with the all-giving sun, the altruistic trees, the calming waters and the privilege of just being.

Project Details

Name: Sjöparken
Location: Halland, Sweden
Year of completion: 2023
Client: Ästad Vingård
Architect: Norm Architects
Architect and Partner: Peter Eland
Designer and Partner: Frederik Werner
Architect and Co-founding Partner: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen
Interior Designer: Hedda Klar
Furnishing and Lighting: Audo Cph, Wästberg
Artworks & Ceramics: Viki Weiland, Hoii Ceramics (Trine Høj Bendixen), POJ Studio