Wake up on the edge of the world: Explore these one-legged cabins above a Fjord in Norway

Warning: Touring these Scandinavian sanctuaries will not help your travel blues

The Bolder Sky Lodges, accommodation, Norway, fjord, vacation, cabin
(Image credit: The Bolder Sky Lodges)

Floating high above Lysefjord in southwestern Norway, you will discover two shrines to Norwegian architecture- The Bolder Sky Lodges.

Designed by architect John Birger Grytdal, these one-legged structures float high above a fjord in southwestern Norway, meaning you can enjoy your morning americano on the edge of a breathtaking vantage point, with a view over the pine kingdom below. 

Inside the lodges, guests can unwind in  22 square meters of living space, which includes two double bedrooms, a bathroom, and a living room.

Curated to contrast and harmonize with the glacial backdrop, the ceiling and walls are constructed from dark oak, while the dark-toned décor from the Danish design company, Vipp, fills the interior. 

Read also: Modern home decorating ideas: 18 striking design ideas worth copying

The Bolder Sky Lodges, accommodation, Norway, fjord, vacation, cabin

(Image credit: The Bolder Sky Lodges)

The furnishings are a tribute to minimal Nordic style, as the Norwegian based shop, Elements Studio, provided the lighting, tableware, appliances, and accessories. 

However, stretching beyond the dining space is the crowning jewel of the Bolder Sky Lodges- the view across Lysefjord. 

If you like your eggs with a side of a view across one of the world's most magnificent fjords, then there is, perhaps, no more perfect place to enjoy breakfast than this dining room- which exquisitely frames Lysefjord with the dark tones of the window structure. If you decide you want to leave the lodge for the day, you are merely a 15-minute drive from Pulpit Rock, a Norwegian landmark that towers 604 meters above sea level. 

The Bolder Sky Lodges, accommodation, Norway, fjord, vacation, cabin

(Image credit: The Bolder Sky Lodges)

The Bolder Sky Lodges are the result of a decade-long project for the owner, Tom Norland, who purchased 170 hectares of this verdant land in 2010. He initially planned to build a series of smaller hermit huts until he decided the land deserved something more 'daring.' 

'My intention was to give visitors a front-row view to one of the best-known fjords in the world. The border between inside and outside had to be blurred to convey the feeling of floating in nature,' he shared.

The Bolder Sky Lodges, accommodation, Norway, fjord, vacation, cabin

(Image credit: The Bolder Sky Lodges)

In his discussion of the cool- Scandi decor, Tom expanded: ‘Vipp has a timeless and honest elegance combined with solid and functional refinement, which is of great importance when you have guests every day. This aesthetic fits well with our concept of architecture in nature.’

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Following Tom’s brief, the architect designed a two-story haven, balancing on a steel pillar drilled 3.5 meters into the ground. He added glazing and wrapped the cabin in Canadian cedarwood, which keeps the raw winter climate outside. 

'The cubes are intentionally placed on the edge of the sloping mountain,' shared Mr. Grytdal. 'It's like standing in a glass elevator with the familiar sinking feeling.'

The Bolder Sky Lodges, accommodation, Norway, fjord, vacation, cabin

(Image credit: The Bolder Sky Lodges)

In the future, we expect to see an expansion of The Bolder Sky Lodges, along with a restaurant which Tom will build in collaboration with renowned architecture practice Snøhetta- in case these lodges weren't quite perfect enough already. 

Looking for another Nordic style fix? See our 10 Interior Ideas To Steal From These Very Stylish Copenhagen Homes.

Megan Slack

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team.

Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US whilst studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site.

Megan currently lives in London, where she relocated from her hometown in Yorkshire. In her home, she experiments with interior design trends and draws inspiration from the home decor ideas she observes in her everyday work life. Her favorite pieces include her antique typewriter and her expansive collection of houseplants. When she isn’t writing, she is browsing London’s coffee shops and bookstores to add to her ever-growing library, taking over the open shelving in her apartment.