In the middle of the Scanian countryside, surrounded by stately spruces and a quiet calm, the story of Hallaröd – Husdrömmar unfolds. This is where Elise and Johnny started their life project – a second-hand A-frame house, found in a ‘give away’ ad, which was dismantled and transported to their plot. With care, manual labor and an indomitable will, the house was rebuilt, step by step.
Elise, a meticulous architect with an eye for detail, and Johnny, a passionate artist with a patience of steel, have together created more than just a house – they have built a story of sustainability, craftsmanship and love.
Table of contents
Tomten - A place with soul
The plot, nestled among stately fir trees, was discovered during a horseback ride. Elise describes the fir trees as a ‘fir hall’ – a natural cathedral that protects and encloses. The plot was bought for SEK 300,000 from the previous owner, and the tranquillity of the place immediately became the basis for their dream house.
– “It’s like a church of fir trees in there. Very calm, even when it’s windy outside,” Elise describes.
From 'giveaway' to home
Almost at the same time as the plot was found, an ad for an A-frame house from the 70s appeared. A house that someone wanted to get rid of – if it was dismantled and moved away. Johnny and Elise took the challenge in their stride, dismantling the house during evenings and weekends.
The simple geometry and powerful construction of the A-frame house immediately appealed to them. The shape, reminiscent of the letter A, is both aesthetic and practical, with minimal material waste and maximum strength.
– “It’s a simple and strong shape. We saw straight away that this was the house for us,” says Johnny.
Building by hand - a philosophical journey
Building the house has been anything but easy. Roof trusses have been installed without cranes, panels have been sanded by hand, and every step has required patience and creativity. But for Elise and Johnny, it’s about more than building a house – it’s about creating meaning.
– “We build together with family and friends. We create memories. It’s a different kind of value,” says Johnny.
Working methodically, slowly and carefully has also become a form of resistance to contemporary stress and efficiency. Here, the way is as important as the goal.
Japanese inspiration: the Yakisugi method
Yakisugi, or shou sugi ban, is a traditional Japanese method of treating wood by burning it. The technique makes the wood resistant to weather, wind and pests, while giving it a beautiful black finish. Elise and Johnny enlisted the help of architecture students to burn the panels.
– “It’s almost meditative to work with each plank, to see how the surface of the wood is changed by the fire,” says Elise.
The panels, which were purchased from a local sawmill, have a history that is visible in every fiber.
Challenges and lessons learned
The project has been fraught with challenges – from building during winter storms to digging drains in December. But Elise and Johnny have learned something new every step of the way, even when things had to be redone from scratch.
– “Almost everything we’ve done has been right on the second try. But that’s also how you learn,” says Johnny.
Their house is a mix of old and new, recycled and modern. The floor from the old house has been laid with care, and each nail is driven by hand.
Facts about the house
Construction start: Spring 2022
Planned occupancy: January 2023
Plot price: 300,000 SEK
Plot area: 1.4 hectares
Budget: 1.5 million SEK
Frame: Wood – partly recycled
Size: 47 m² + extension
Facade: Burnt larch (Yakisugi method)
Closure
Elise and Johnny have created more than a house – they have built a home where every detail tells a story. Although the project is not yet complete, it is already an inspiring reminder that dreams can be realized with patience, manual dexterity and an unstoppable will.
