Villa Borealis carries a long history. The building is situated in the small fishing village – Berlevåg – as far north you can get in Norway. It was built in the 1950s and has had various functions such as the local butchery, grocery store, waiting room for the coastal boat express, the Social Security Office, and much more. The original tiling from the waiting hall is reused in the new studio for Arctic Glasstudio.
In 2009 we got the honor to rehabilitate this building when approaching the project, it was of great importance that the completed project would adapt to the character of the space and the Nordic weather conditions. Siberian larch was chosen for the exterior – this material will change over time and get the same grey tone as the local houses in the region. It was important for us and the owner of Villa Borealis– Anna Kjaer, Dieter and Daniela Salathe that the building kept its traditional look when rehabilitated. New windows were installed, in addition to this new isolation and roof was laid.
One of the owners, Anna Kjaer lives in the loft which is rebuilt into a fully functioned apartment. At the ground floor, the workshop of Arctic Glass studio and exhibition/shop is placed. On the first-floor offices, meeting rooms and gallery for the Nordic Visions are to be found. The building has a full basement.
