Realizing your house dreams is not just about building a home – it’s also about creating a place that reflects your lifestyle and values. In the eighth episode, Abbekås – House Dreams, we followed Göran and Pippi Skarby in their ambitious project to transform a charming summer house in the Scanian fishing village of Abbekås into a modern, sustainable home. With a 300-square-meter extension, their dream house became not only a place for the future, but also an example of how tradition can meet innovation.
Table of contents
The dream of a sustainable home
After buying their summer house in 2007, Göran and Pippi realized that Abbekås was more than just a vacation spot – it was their future. Retirement gave them the opportunity to sell their home in Malmö and focus on a new chapter. With their grown-up children out of the house, they took on a major challenge: to rebuild and extend, to create a permanent home with room for both friends and big celebrations.
As Pippi put it: “Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you want to live in a studio apartment with a knife drawer.” Instead, the couple chose to create a home where they can enjoy life and be able to welcome guests all year round.
Project scope and challenges
The house, which was originally 90 square meters, was to grow to 400 square meters. The extension required a budget of between SEK 3.5 and 4.2 million and involved a carefully planned design. On the ground floor, a kitchen, dining room, lounge, bathroom, relaxation room and technical room were built, while upstairs there were four bedrooms, a bathroom and a terrace.
However, the large project had its challenges. Construction stopped during the holidays, incorrectly selected pipes delayed the work, and construction moisture from plastering the walls of the stone house required longer drying times than planned. As a result, the long-awaited move-in had to be postponed.
Sustainable energy solutions - solar panels and wind turbines
Sustainability was at the heart of Göran and Pippi’s vision. They installed solar panels on the large roof surfaces, which are expected to produce over 20,000 kWh per year. These panels cover 90% of the house’s energy needs. To complement the solar energy, a small wind turbine was also installed, contributing an additional 3000 kWh per year.
Despite challenges with municipal permits, it turned out to be a well-considered investment. The couple chose to forgo installing a battery system and instead adapt their energy use to the sun’s path – such as turning on the washing machine during the day instead of in the evening.
Gert's thoughts on design and composition
The couple didn’t just find building materials at recycling fairs – they also built a relationship with the craft and history behind their finds. One example is the beautiful church doors they used to create a new entrance. In the house, great attention was paid to details, such as the linoleum floor in the library and a handmade mural in the main hall. Safety aspects were also taken very seriously during the renovation, especially when the eternit was dismantled with protective equipment to deal with the dangerous asbestos particles.
Facts about the house
Original house: 90 sqm
Extension: +300 sqm
Budget: SEK 3.5-4.2 million
Occupancy: New Year 2019 (later postponed)
Energy production: >20,000 kWh solar cells, 3,000 kWh wind turbine
Energy demand: <15,000 kWh per year
Construction technique: Stone house with brick and plastered walls
Number of roof trusses: 38
Closure
Göran and Pippi’s journey from summer cottage to dream house in Abbekås is an inspiring story of courage, careful planning and sustainability. Although the project was not completed according to plan, their choice to integrate solar panels and wind turbines shows how today’s technology can minimize climate impact without compromising on design and comfort.
For anyone planning a similar project, it is important to be patient and prepared for unexpected obstacles. Although the move was postponed, Göran and Pippi’s house stands as an ongoing testament to dreams coming true – and reminds us that it’s never too late to create something extraordinary.
