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Two Towers of Manshausen
By : Snorre Stinessen Architecture
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Architecture : Grand Winner
Categories : Special Award / Architecture + Wood : Platinum Winner
Categories : Special Award / Architecture + Glass : Gold Certification
Categories : Special Award / Sustainable Architecture : Platinum Winner
Categories : Commercial Building / Hotel & Resort : Platinum Winner
The third main development at the Manshausen Island Resort was just completed with the construction of the Two Towers. The towers are positioned on the edge of a stone quay on the island that once housed a larger coal storage, at the time the island was part of the waterway network of the fishing industry of old. The burnt wooden cladding of the towers both gives a nod back to that coal and also a stark contrast to the reflective facades of the Manshausen 2.0 seacabins. The charred black absorbs the light almost creating visually negative space. The design is a mix of influence by traditional wooden constructions and a step into the future, energy independent with the sloping south wall entirely covered in solar panels.
While the Manshausen seacabin designs endeavors to remove the visual barrier between outside and inside, cantilevering the guests on protected viewing platforms, the towers frame a very private view of the sea in the living room downstairs and opens the entire ceiling to the skies above in the bedroom area upstairs.
The cabins each have a custom designed queen size bed upstairs, with DUX mattrasses. Upstairs also feature a hidden work desk that folds down from the wall, a small balcony that also provides shelter above the entrance door below and a silent aircon hidden under the bed. A generous winding stairway connects the two floors, with an extra bed tucked away privately under part of it. A multi-functional central box packs the technical equipment, but also cabinets with a mini-bar, coffee machine, storage space and the bathroom. The bathroom is both a functional size space, but also featuring custom design elements and top line wellness products from Grohe, including the spacious shower. Facing the front and undisturbed sea view is a compact living room, tailored to a generous blue Tufty-Time sofa from B&B Italia. Lighting is provided either by integrated led strips or a selection of Tolomeo lamps from Artemide.
The exterior shou sugi ban cladding is made from burnt (carbonized) larch. The main construction and exposed interior walls and stairway etc from cross laminated timber construction (CLT), with interior quality from Novatop. The glass front wall and ceiling is made from structural glazing. The fourth wall entirely clad in solar panels.
