‘A House to Die In’ Is a Sculpture Someone Lives In

Leave it to the Norwegians to do something as crazy as creating a giant sculpture that doubles as a house. Dubbed “A House to Die In,” the project combines the work of Norwegian artist Bjarne Melgaard, the Selvaag brothers (Olav and Frederik) and Snøhetta (the firm responsible for the Underwater Restaurant and Gapahuk Cabin, among others) all working together to build a private residence and atelier for Melgaard that’s also based on his work. In the seven years since the project started, the artists and architects have worked through ideas, drawings, 3D models and documents to eventually arrive at a structure with a triangular facade clad with black, burnt oak inspired by Japanese building traditions that sits on poles of white animal-shaped sculptures that really separate it from the landscape below. It’s art. It’s architecture. It’s design. It’s a desire to think outside the box when it comes to what’s possible and what a home should be. We can’t wait to see inside once it’s finished.