Villa Maier was designed by Tommie Wilhelmsen and completed in 2022. The house is located on a challenging plot along the shoreline at Engøy, and was developed with a focus on precise integration between the building and the rocky terrain.

The outdoor surface is covered with Light Oppdal quartzite in a natural finish, both as outdoor tiles and stepping stones. The tiles are installed on pedestals without glue or mortar, while the stepping stones are laid directly in gravel. The solution provides stability, good drainage, and allows for full reuse. Slate is also used in the stairs and indoor floors. The stair treads were custom-sized in varying widths, and indoors, silk brushed slate tiles were installed.

The slate was delivered as a fully processed product from the quarry to the construction site, transported over a total distance of 770 km.

“Runar, who’s laying the slate, stands with a wide grin and dirty hands, enjoying doing things the right way. We discuss yet another transition between architecture and rock. […] When the idea to carve a staircase into the rock came up, Svend just said, go for it. ‘The Maiers’ could put up a sign: ‘Designed by a free-range architect, unrestrained, an ecological building with ground-source heating.’ I’m grateful for the trust. It was exceptionally strong here.”

Architect Tommie Wilhelmsen