Zinc and larch canopies shade a number of terraces in this home in southern Sweden, designed by local practice Johan Sundberg Arkitektur.

Located in a pine forest in Ljungskogen near the coast, Villa MSV is designed by Lundabaserad studio Johan Sundberg Architecture for a couple who wanted plenty of space both inside and out to host large gatherings with friends and family.

Instead of the home prioritizing a particular view or direction, the studio used a T-shaped plan to create three terraces around the living room that respond to specific uses at different times of the day.

“We have been working with many different classic L-shaped houses in atrium style for several years in our studio, but recently we have started to question this shape,” Johan Sundberg told Diéen.

“Often the exteriors of the L-shape become spaces of lower quality, sometimes even ‘backs’ to the houses.”

– In this house and in Sommerhus T, we have started to look at the spaces around a T-shape – in this way we can create more distinct spaces east of the house, Sundberg continued.

Against the rising sun in the east, there is a small paved patio between the entrance and the bedroom block at the front of the home and the central living areas. A winding path leads from here to the master bedroom at the back.

To the west, a wooden deck area creates an extension of the living areas through sliding doors at full height. An outdoor dining table and seating for evening gatherings overlook a garden that leads directly into the nearby forest.

To the south is a paved patio with sun loungers and an outdoor shower next to the sauna, bathroom and relaxation areas next to the master bedroom at the back of the residence.

Contrasting surface treatments have been used for the exterior. Pale Danish bricks for the outward-facing areas were chosen to blend into the shades of the forest, while larch planks designed to weather over time cover the walls surrounding the terraces.

– We often use these brick curtains, the houses look like an animal with its tougher skin or even shells against the street and the soft stomach inwards, says Sundberg.

Protection for the western and southern terraces are zinc-edged canopies, the size and shape of which react to the direction of the sun. Some have wooden slats to filter the light through and others block it completely.

Rain chains to help with drainage are installed at the edge of these canopies, which help direct the water into a series of landscaped beds next to the terraces.

Internally, the central living areas flow into each other, delimited by contrasting floor space – stone in the kitchen and wood in the living room – and a brick fireplace that separates the dining room from a lounge.

White walls and sliding pocket doors create a minimal background throughout to focus the view of the surrounding forest, with the sauna clad in wood and the bathrooms finished with white painted wooden planks.

Johan Sundberg Arkitektur has completed several homes in southern Sweden, including the nearby Villa Tennisvägen with lush courtyard and pool and Sommarhus H with sauna overlooking a beach.