In the sixth episode, Tjörn – House Dreams 2024, we meet Anna Sonesson and Joakim Wenner, two passionate gardeners and landscape architects who are realizing their dream of a self-sufficient home on Tjörn in Bohuslän. The project is more than just a house – it’s a lifestyle where every detail, from the choice of materials to the placement of the garden entrance, is carefully thought out to facilitate cultivation and sustainability.
This is the story of courage, perseverance and the will to create a home that is not only beautiful, but also functional and sustainable for generations to come.
Table of contents
The dream of a self-sufficient life
Anna and Joakim met while studying landscape architecture in Alnarp and have since shared a passion for cultivation and sustainability. They found their dream area on Tjörn – a place with perfect soil for cultivation and a southern exposure for maximum light.
With two children, Gunnar and Idun, the small single cottage soon became too cramped, and the idea of a new house took shape. A house that would be an extension of the garden, where vegetables could be harvested, processed and stored in an optimal way.
House design and construction
The house is a functional gardener’s dwelling with a smart floor plan. On the ground floor, the focus is on food and self-sufficiency. A utility room welcomes the freshly picked vegetables for rinsing before they are taken to the kitchen and pantry.
Upstairs, the view of the valley takes your breath away. Large windows let in light and connect nature with the living room. There are also bedrooms and bathrooms, designed for simplicity and comfort.
The terrace, designed by Gert Wingårdh, is divided into several levels to harmonize with nature and create a seamless transition between house and garden.
Material choices and challenges
Anna and Joakim chose to build with hemp lime as insulation material – an environmentally friendly choice but also a challenge. The hemp lime turned out to require more time and resources than expected. After injecting 10 000 liters of water into the walls, the drying process took much longer than expected, increasing costs and delaying other stages of the construction.
Despite these challenges, they struggled on. The interior walls were clayed by students and painted with egg oil tempera, a traditional paint with natural ingredients.
The result
When the house is finally completed, in February 2024, the result is outstanding. Recycled materials permeate the interior – from the kitchen cabinets to the floor and door frames.
The large pantry, kept cool by free cooling from a pipe in the ground, is the heart of the house. Vegetables, legumes and pickles are stored here.
The family finally got what they dreamed of: a warm, energy-efficient home where garden and house blend in harmony.
Facts about the house
Construction start: Early spring 2022
Materials & methods: Hemp lime, clay lining, recycling
Frame: Wood
Size: 200 sqm
Budget: SEK 4,000,000
Outcome: SEK 5,000,000
Estimated completion: Summer/autumn 2023
Completed: February 2024
Closure
Anna and Joakim’s house on Tjörn is more than a gardener’s home – it’s a vision of a sustainable future. With bold material choices, social building and a deep respect for nature, they have created a home that inspires us all.
