A conversation with Sigurd Larsen: Spaces within nature
Based in Berlin, Sigurd Larsen’s award-winning studio has created houses, hotels, and public buildings worldwide, blending contemporary design with vernacular traditions. Their approach combines local materials, cultural context, and sensory elements like sounds and wind to craft immersive spaces. This philosophy shines in the Løvtag treetop hotel, where cabins rise into the forest canopy, offering a modern, nature-inspired retreat rooted in childhood dreams and sustainable design principles.
How would you describe your design philosophy, and what motivates you as an architect?
SIGURD LARSEN: At our studio, we take a strongly context-driven approach to design. We are fortunate to work on houses and hotels across the globe in places like Germany, France, Austria, and Greece. This exposes us to a wide range of landscapes and climates, requiring us to immerse ourselves in the history of how people have built in these specific areas. We examine the cultural context: What local materials are used? What construction techniques do the locals know? From this understanding, we develop a modern interpretation of those traditions.
With Løvtag, we found ourselves in a Danish forest and wanted to integrate a house into this natural environment. Our guiding question became, “How can our architecture enhance the experience of being in a forest?” This didn’t mean making the structure blend entirely into the trees but creating a space that amplifies the connection with the surroundings. With Løvtag, we achieved just that — you wake up in the morning nestled within the canopy of the trees, a place you wouldn’t usually have access to.
“ Many beloved pieces are passed down through generations because they tell a story. Architecture should follow the same principle: create something unique and memorable, so it stands the test of time. That’s the most sustainable approach of all. ”
Sigurd Larsen
What role does functionality play in your projects, and how do you integrate it with aesthetics?
SL: We aim to retain the functional aspects of daily rituals while transforming them into something unique — something you wouldn’t experience at home. At Løvtag, you sleep beside a large window suspended among the treetops. Even the bathroom reflects this principle. It’s a box that juts out from the house, allowing you to step outside and enjoy a warm shower in the middle of winter. You can smell the forest and hear the birds, all while bathing in a way completely different from your usual everyday experience at home.
By doing this, we elevate the value of essential functions and make them part of the aesthetic experience of the space and its surroundings. It’s about framing everyday routines to emphasise what’s truly special about the place.
We’ve also incorporated small but meaningful details, like a hatch you can open to let in the forest’s scents, sounds, and breeze. It’s a simple feature, but it significantly impacts your sense of connection to the space.
How do you integrate both nature and culture into your designs?
SL: For Løvtag, the tree itself became the centrepiece of the design, visible from within the structure. The rest of the design was intentionally kept modest to let this element take focus. Architecturally, we sought to harmonise with the trees. For instance, the support columns were painted dark to mirror the appearance of tree trunks, which often look shadowy within a forest. Yet, the large windows offer contrast, drawing attention and hinting that something extraordinary is hidden in the canopy.
What inspired Løvtag, and how did building exclusive treetop cabins come about?
SL: The idea stemmed from a childhood dream of building a treehouse in the forest. We wanted to create a hotel on the treetops to maximise the experience of being surrounded by nature. This led to the concept of a cubelike structure that branches out, allowing the forest to become part of the cabin.
Initially, we imagined placing the cabin high in the treetops, but the proximity to the sea meant the trees’ shallow roots couldn’t support such a structure. Instead, we built the cabin around the tree trunk, keeping it close to nature and allowing the tree to sway freely within the space. This became a defining feature of the guest experience. There’s something uniquely magical about waking up beside a tree swaying in the wind, with its scent filling the room.
Inside, we kept things simple — smooth surfaces and white walls — so the tree took centre stage. Since guests come to Løvtag to relax, the natural surroundings and the tree’s presence were the primary focus, with all other elements kept calm and understated.
What materials did you choose, and how do they contribute to the unique character of the space?
SL: For the exterior, we primarily used timber that will weather over time, and turn grey. Over time, moss and algae will grow on the surface, blending the cabin further into its surroundings. The aim was for the structure to become increasingly integrated with the forest, fulfilling the childhood dream of a treehouse that feels entirely at home in nature.
How did you consider the guest experience when designing the hotel?
SL: Nature itself provides a deep sense of calm and invites reflection. It was vital for the cabin to extend this feeling, or even enhance it, by situating guests within the forest in a unique way. The large windows are key — they allow the forest to feel like an extension of the indoor space, creating a sense of immersion.
Everything else was kept understated to avoid distractions. The focus is on the trees and the natural environment, allowing guests to feel fully present as they relax, drink coffee, or read a book.
Did anything surprise you during the process that influenced the final design?
SL: Yes, the process was full of surprises. Typically, when designing a new structure, you clear the site, build it, and then let the area grow back. But with Løvtag, the environment itself was the foundation of the concept, so clearing wasn’t an option.
The trees presented constant challenges. Initially, we thought we could pre-construct two halves of the cabins and “click” them together around the tree trunks like a giant kit. But the cranes required for such a process would have destroyed a significant portion of the forest, leading us to rethink our approach entirely.
Instead, we built the cabins meticulously with local artisans, piece by piece. Each cabin became a small work of craftsmanship, celebrating the materials and the artistry involved in creating something so connected to its surroundings.
What key principles guided the architectural design?
SL: The overarching principle was to preserve the forest and its trees. We wanted to build without harming the environment. For instance, you can’t drive and park near the cabins — the area is kept peaceful and natural. Every element was designed to provide the best possible experience of the forest while leaving the environment untouched.
How do you work with sustainability in your projects?
SL: Sustainability is always at the forefront, from the choice of materials to energy considerations. In design, we encourage mindful energy use, such as incorporating features that make guests aware of their water consumption or how much hot water remains. I believe small, thoughtful interventions like these can positively influence habits.
Do you think Løvtag can inspire others to think more creatively about sustainable getaway solutions?
SL: I think it taps into a broader trend of holidaying closer to home, which grew stronger during the pandemic. With Løvtag, I hope people see the charm in the nature that’s right on their doorstep. It shows that unique travel experiences don’t always require a trip to the airport — you can find them in your country.
Are there specific materials you find particularly exciting?
SL: I work a lot with wood — it’s a material we know how to work with, one we’ve trained people to handle. It’s also relatively sustainable, as it regenerates naturally. Increasingly, people are recognising its value, and I think the regulations we’re seeing are pushing us all in a better direction.
What do you see as the future of architecture and design?
SL: Sustainability has been a constant theme since I began studying architecture over twenty years ago. While much of the focus is now on material choices, for me, it’s also about creating things that endure — spaces that offer meaningful experiences and are built with quality and resilience.
I believe this philosophy applies to furniture as well. Many beloved pieces are passed down through generations because they tell a story. Architecture should follow the same principle: create something unique and memorable, so it stands the test of time. That’s the most sustainable approach of all.
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