In Höganäs – Grand Designs, we follow Anna and Andreas Lebisch as they create a spectacular holiday home that combines the beauty of nature with bold architecture. Architects Anna and Andreas Lebisch have built their dream house – a spectacular holiday home that combines their passion for design and landscape. It is not just a building, but a statement of what architecture can be when it takes into account both the soul of the place and a modern lifestyle.
Table of contents
From dream to reality
The story of Anna and Andreas’ house begins long before the foundation was even in place. Five years ago, the couple bought a winding and marshy plot in Höganäs. With its unique location and hilltop, they saw potential where others might have hesitated. But instead of rushing their project, they chose to spend the years getting to know the place. Every summer they spent weeks in tents on the site, and this close relationship with the place came to influence every decision they made.
“We really wanted to understand the site – its strengths, weaknesses and opportunities,” says Anna. “It was important to us that the house would feel like a natural part of the landscape.”
The plot and the importance of the place
The location of the house on the highest point of the plot was no coincidence. With cherry trees and blackberry bushes providing a natural backdrop, the site became a perfect podium for their geometric creation. The site is also an example of how to think sustainably and use the existing landscape as inspiration for the design.
Andreas, an architect, saw the potential in creating a house that reflected the surrounding forms and materials. For Anna, a landscape architect, it was crucial that the surrounding nature was not only preserved but also enhanced through the design.
Architecture inspired by nature
The building’s shape and materials are inspired by three natural elements: wood, rock and crystal. The result is a multi-sided polygon – a ten-sided structure built from cross-laminated timber (CLT).
Planning with a purpose
The interior is as innovative as the exterior. On the ground floor, we find a guest room, a toilet and a fitted kitchen that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Half a floor up is the living room which opens onto a terrace via large sliding doors. Upstairs are the bedrooms – one for Anna and Andreas and two for their children.
The choice of materials is carefully considered to create a smooth transition between the different spaces of the house and to give a natural, warm feeling. Cross-laminated timber is used not only for its durability but also because it adds a unique aesthetic quality. The large windows invite nature in and almost blur the line between inside and outside.
A budget that set limits
When the project started, the couple set a tight budget of SEK 3 million, which even then seemed challenging. With rising material prices during the pandemic and unforeseen costs for sanding the base plate, they were eventually forced to increase the budget to SEK 3.7 million. To keep costs down, they chose to build the terrace and several pieces of bespoke furniture themselves, an impressive feat that also added a personal touch.
Challenges and milestones in the construction process
Building a unique house like this obviously presents challenges. Here are some of the most memorable:
- Groundwork: Before construction could begin, 50 cubic meters of rock had to be blasted away. It was a painful process for Anna, who cared about the integrity of nature.
- Precision at the heart of it all: for the house to be properly assembled, a base plate made with millimeter precision was required. Casting under optimal conditions became a battle against the elements.
- Fast assembly: When the 111 cross-laminated timber elements arrived, the frame was built in just five days – an incredible achievement that demonstrates the power of good planning and modern construction techniques.
The result: at one with nature
When the building was finally completed, it was like a crystal had emerged from the rock. The asymmetrical design and natural materials blend in with the surroundings, while the building makes a strong architectural statement. The interior is outstanding with its seamless transitions between rooms and its impressive 12-meter ceiling height.
Mark Isitt described the house as a ‘diamond’ – a balance between the boldness of architecture and the simplicity of nature. Anna and Andreas created not just a home, but a landmark that shows it is possible to build big and bold, while respecting nature.
Facts about the house
Location: Höganäs, Skåne
Architect: Andreas Lebisch
Landscape architect: Anna Lebisch
Frame: Cross-laminated timber
Facade: Swedish spruce
Size: 140 sqm
Land price: 1.4 million SEK
Budget: 3 million SEK (final cost: 3.7 million SEK)
Closure
Anna and Andreas have shown that with the right attitude and strong collaboration, even the most challenging house projects can become reality. Their home is not just a building, but an inspiration for anyone who dreams of creating something unique. Stiligt sees this project as a reminder of the importance of thinking sustainably while daring to be creative. Their house is a symbol that dreams, despite everything, can become reality.
