Infinity House by Vladimir Konovalov

Infinity House is a simple monolithic concrete house rises above the rocks in Northern Norway that the house was designed for a specific purpose.

Architect: Vladimir Konovalov
Location: Northern Norway
Year: 2016 - 2017
Area: 100 sqm
Visualizations: www.omegarender.com

From the architects: Northern Norway is a paradise for those, who prefer quite retreat in the solitude of wild nature rather than southern busy touristic places. Infinity House was designed for this specific purpose. Located in the remote area, it is surrounded by harsh northern landscapes with panoramic views of mountains and Norwegian Sea. Simple monolithic concrete volume rises above the rocks. Raw materials create feeling of the connection with the surrounding landscape. Huge windows take advantage of spectecular views and blur the boundary between exterior and interior.

The building consists of three main elements – exterior concrete superstructure, black concrete infinity pool roof and a black box with a bathroom and a secret stair. The house is designed as one big open space, where living room, kitchen and bedroom are located. The interiors are subtle and have predominantly monochrome tones in order not to distract from the ever changing light and colors on the outside. Enclosed black volume of the bathroom contains a stair that leads to the 21m infinity pool on the roof. The heated pool is divided in two areas – swimming lane and resting bath, providing various recreational opportunities for the owners.

It’s early autumn. Cold winds already gain strength. And every step becomes a battle with the forces of nature. The wind blows into my face. Tousled hair. Jacket like a sail drags me back. Back to vanity and mad weekdays I’m willing to escape. And there’s only one right direction – forward. Forward down the little path between rocks and moss. This is my way home. It’s long enough to forget everything that bothers. It’s short enough to already feel the enticing warmth of home. Over the next hill I begin to recongnize the familiar and native silhouette. The monumental volume of a simple shape rises above the endless and monogamous landscape. “Finally!” – I said to myself.

The first thing I do after entering the house is I run to the fireplace. Some heat won’t hurt right now. When the fireplace begins to show first signs of life, I move to the kitchen and sit on the bar stool to brew some tea. There’s no dinning table in my house. I’m not a fan of sitting at the table for hours and inviting guests. A couple of chairs behind the kitchen island is all I need. The fireplace begins to warm up the house and I get goose bumps along the back.

All day I dreamed of dissolving in silence. I change my clothes in the bedroom with panoramic views of the mountains and head to Malevich – a black rectangular volume in the centre of the house, where the secret stair leads to my favourite place.

On the top of the stair the endless smoothness of the infinity pool opens up in front of me. The sky merges with reflection and is bathing in the rays of the setting sun. In this place everyone becomes a poet. Words themselves are woven into complex metaphors in attempts to describe breathtaking views. I accelerate as fast as I can and jump into the smooth surface of the water that like a mirror reflects the sunset sky.

Singularity. I guess I would describe it this way. Feeling of full immersion in the nature. You become an integral part of it at such moments. Moments of infinite happiness. I look around. A familiar silhouette appears on the horizon. That’s her. At last. It’s time to go down and make tea again. She shouldn’t freeze.

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