Haugen/ Zohar Create Outdoor Fireplace Inspired By Norwegian Turf Huts

OUTDOOR FIREPLACE (also called Fireplace For Children) by architects Haugen/Zohar
Skjærmveien Barnehage, Trondheim

In their own words:
Together with the standard playground facilities we wished to combine an enclosed space for fire, storytelling and playing.

Given a very limited budget, reusing leftover materials (from a nearby construction site) was a starting point that led the design to be based on short wooden pieces. Inspired by the Norwegian turf huts and old log construction, a 5.2 x 4.5 meters wooden construction was built and mounted on a lighted and brushed concrete base.





The structure is made of 80-layered circles. The circles have varied radiuses and relative centre point in relation to each other. Every circle is made out of 28 pieces of naturally impregnated core of pine that are placed with varied spaces to assure chimney effect and natural light.



Oak separators differentiate vertically between the pine pieces to assure airflow allowing easy drying of the pine pieces.



A double curved sliding door was designed for locking the structure.



An authentic turf covered hut in Hardangervidda, Norway (photo by Brian McMorrow):


Sketches, plans, models and CGI renderings for the project:








Completed 2009
Client: Trondheim Municipality
Contractour: Pan Landskap AS
Project Team: Haugen/Zohar
3d consultants: Scenario architecture
Photographers: Grethe Fredriksen & Jason Havneraas

- Fireplace for Children project is included in the top 25 entries for the AR emerging architecture awards 2009. The project is now featured at the special edition of the Architectural Review (December issue) and the Emerging Architecture Exhibition at the RIBA, London

all information and images courtesy of Haugen/Zohar

Cool Ways To Heat Up: Focus Fireplaces of France

The amount of beautifully designed fireplaces created abroad really impress me (for examples, be sure to check my side bar links to amazing fireplace and radiator designers and manufacturers).

One of them, Focus, manufactured exclusively in France, has over 50 stunning wall-mounted, freestanding and custom fireplaces, all designed by Dominique Imbert.

Imbert's designs vary. Some swivel 360 degrees, some look like they are torn from the wall, others have adjustable hoods, and still others are clad in leather.

I'm going to show you a few of my favorites from the collection, you'll have to visit the site to see the rest yourself.

Below are examples of this 'torn metal' look which I think is so interesting. Very primitive yet modern at the same time.


Above: the Eclat Giant


Above: the Omega

And then this unusual little protrusion from the wall takes up hardly any room yet is impossible to ignore:


Above: the Mio


Above: The Elliptofocus is actually covered in leather as opposed to the usual metal housing.



Their site, www.focus-creation.com has optional language choices, company history, a bio about the designer and distribution info.


Above: the designer, Dominique Imbert

Want to see more? Check them out here.

Now, if only they'd redesign that logo......

Product Pick Of The Week: The Stûv 21 Fireplace

Above: The Stûv 21 in rust

I love this fireplace because it's got storage, clean lines and a retractable door! And although it takes up space, it's not an eyesore.

And it comes with different claddings (the surround) so it can suit your interior.

Above: The Stûv in white

How it works


The Stûv 21 makes use of a simple law of physics : natural combustion : air circulates in a double wall (1) around the hearth, heats up and escapes through purpose-built vents (2). One can also route some of that hot air to an adjacent room. So there is no fan, no noise, no risk of a breakdown, no electrical connection. The glass door remains clear : the air required for combustion sweeps the inner face (3) and prevents soot from making it dirty.

Integration into a low volume

Partial raising of the glass door allows the Stûv 21 to be integrated into a low horizontal space.

Limiting the travel of the glass door means the hearth height can be reduced by 15 to 25 cm depending on the model, and the stove can then be inserted into a low horizontal volume and thus break away from the traditional vertical shape.
It can also be inserted into an old fireplace.


Go here for more information and to purchase.