The house is situated on a beachfront plot, consisting of old seabed that lies low in the terrain and is regularly flooded during storm surges. The client was willing to pay more than a standard prefabricated house but did not want an expensive build.
The primary users are two adults, with occasional stays by their two teenage children. Architecturally, the vision was a functional, Nordic style.
The result is a 60 m² house elevated on pillars, designed with a strict yet functional architectural approach. The construction costs remained within budget.
The true value of the house is something only the client can assess. According to them, they are very happy with the house, which fulfills their dreams.
Fur is a small island in the Limfjord in northwestern Denmark, covering approximately 22 km². It is known for its unique landscapes and geological formations and has a population of around 700 residents.
Fur attracts tourists due to its scenic beauty and rich history.
Fur is particularly famous for its impressive moler cliffs, which are of great geological interest. These cliffs consist of volcanic ash and diatomite, preserving millions of years’ worth of fossils. The island also features vast heathlands, meadows, forests, and beaches. Its diverse landscape supports a wide variety of flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.
The sea plays a central role in Fur’s culture and economy. Its location in the Limfjord provides mild weather conditions, and the fjord has been used for fishing for centuries—an industry that remains significant today. Additionally, sailing and ferry traffic are essential for transportation to and from the island, as there is no bridge connection.
Although Fur is located in the Limfjord, it is not as severely exposed to storm surges as Denmark’s more open coastal areas. The Limfjord provides a natural buffer against powerful ocean waves and extreme weather conditions. However, high water levels and storm surges can occasionally occur during strong storms that affect the entire Limfjord region.
Ancient seabeds that have since become land are former marine areas that have either risen due to geological processes or formed through sediment deposits. On Fur, this is particularly evident in the moler cliffs, where layers of sediment and volcanic ash have accumulated over millions of years. These areas have a unique soil composition rich in limestone and fossils, revealing past marine environments. The flat landscapes often contain traces of ancient shorelines and marine deposits, making the soil fertile and creating distinctive natural habitats.
Due to the plot’s low elevation and changing weather patterns that cause minor storm surges in the Limfjord, the land is periodically flooded once or twice a year.
A conventional solution would have been to build a 1–2 meter high plateau of compacted sand to protect the house from flooding. However, Fur has no natural sand deposits, meaning all materials would have to be transported by sea—an extremely costly and resource-intensive process with a significant environmental impact.
Instead, we chose to elevate the house on pillars and construct a raised pathway leading to it. This solution was no more expensive than a conventional construction method and significantly reduced CO₂ emissions.
When the sea floods the land, residents can stay in the house and feel as though they are floating on the water—an extraordinary and immersive experience, bringing them closer to nature.
An architectural reference for this project is The Farnsworth House by architect Mies van der Rohe. The site of The Farnsworth House is also periodically flooded by the Fox River in Plano, Illinois, USA.
Ladegaard Architecture
Part of Ladegaard Group ApS