This summer, while traveling through the Swedish mountains, one important design characteristic stood out. New ski cabins in the Scandes—the mountain range along the Swedish–Norwegian border—are moving beyond the traditional Falu red paint so common in Sweden’s towns and rural settlements. While we have full respect for the vernacular logic behind Falu red, it was refreshing to see forward-thinking architecture firms experimenting with new methods and materials for these highly functional structures. These alternative envelopes draw from their own traditions and regional rationalism, and today’s article reviews 5 different approaches while highlighting the talented firms designing, permitting, and building them.
Viste in Funäsdalen, Sweden by Trigueiros Arkitekter
@trigueirosarchitecture
[Photos of Viste by Andrew van Leeuwen]
The vertical orientation of stained spruce siding creates a striking sense of visual harmony across this community of individual ski cabins. The simple wood backdrop complements the repeating window geometries and accommodates applied elements such as electrical boxes and vents. Roof access ladders are thoughtfully detailed to become design features in their own right, while stair enclosures are wrapped in wood slats, visually distinguishing circulation paths without breaking from the overall palette. Perhaps best of all, the site plan forms sheltered courtyards where residents can gather around a fire or share meals outdoors.
Trigueiros specified a wood stain that gradually shifts from warm golden tones to a natural silver-grey. Combined with the play of light and shadow, the result is a beautifully cohesive community of cabins that celebrates outdoor living.
Brf Olen in Funäsdalen, Sweden by Jordens Arkitekter
@jordensarkitekter
[Photos of Brf Olen by Andrew van Leeuwen]
Clear sealed spruce siding panels over a cross-laminated timber frame system allow these multi-family structures to blend with the environment while introducing design-forward dwellings to the Funäsdalen community. The result is an aesthetic of strength and elegance while the grouping of cabins creates a highly energy efficient design. Horizontal and vertical wood louvers add subtly and shadow while large windows stack neatly creating a harmonious whole.
By taking design queues from traditional Swedish storehouses and timber cabins, Brf Olen achieves a rare balance between regional contextualism and modern function.
Kåvan in Funäsdalen, Sweden by Murman Arkitekter
@murmanarkitekter
[Photos of Kåvan by Andrew van Leeuwen]
Using a clever strategy of traditional dark-stained, horizontal shiplap siding, the project employs pronounced exterior window trim to frame the window bays as distinctive design features. Within these bays, shingle panels introduce variation and texture, enriching the overall composition.
Notably, the upper-floor cantilevers reduce the ground-level footprint—an especially effective approach on mountain slopes. Combined with the siding strategy, the result is a strikingly modern ski chalet aesthetic. This dramatic collection of six cabins feels perfectly at home in its setting.
Fjällöga in Tänndalen, Sweden by Trigueiros Arkitekter
@trigueirosarchitecture
[Photos of Fjällöga by Christian Åslund]
This mountain village of 25 cabins employs three time-tested siding systems in a thoughtful and creative way. The upper levels are clad in traditional board-and-batten siding, the mid-levels in vertical tongue-and-groove panels, and the lower-level storage areas and crawl spaces are screened with vertical wood slats. Terrace and stair railings echo the language of these vertical screens.
By consistently using the same material across all levels, the design achieves a balance between contextual harmony and textural richness. The result is an ensemble of cabins that feels both handsome and graceful.
Skiers Lodge in Åre, Sweden by Murman Arkitekter
@murmanarkitekter
[Photos of Skiers Lodge by Åke E:son Lindman]
A dark-stained, wide-plank horizontal tongue-and-groove siding serves as a quiet backdrop, allowing the window bays and their flat metal trim to stand out as expressive design features. The orientation and character of each bay reinforce a form-follows-function aesthetic. The result is a composition that is both harmonious in its consistent color and dramatic in its bold, protruding bays.
Drawing on the architectural language evident in Murman Arkitekter’s Åre Skiers Lodge, the design further echoes their refined attention to context, materiality, and craftsmanship — bringing together contemporary clarity and intimate, mountain-inspired detailing.
Together, these five projects illustrate how contemporary architecture in Sweden’s mountain regions is evolving—drawing on centuries of Nordic building knowledge while embracing new materials, technologies, and design expressions. The three firms behind them demonstrate a rare balance: honoring the traditions of craft and contextualism while advancing thoughtful, modern responses. They are well worth watching as this architectural language continues to develop.
Cheers from team BUILD