Tisvilde Summerhouse by Arne Jacobsen

En ny vision for det arketypiske danske sommerhus

Designed by legendary architect, Arne Jacobsen in 1955, this iconic Tisvilde summerhouse marked a seminal turning point in Danish mid-century architecture. Characterized by its sharp, modular design, the summerhouse elicited both praise and criticism for its groundbreaking simplicity and crooked, asymmetrical roof – an unprecedented design feature for its time.

The works of iconic Bauhaus masters, including Marcel Breuer, acted as inspiration for the house's modernist layout. Pared back to its simplest form, the project is comprised of a series of basic geometric shapes. The entirety of the home is contained in a single, rectangular timber box, suspended on two brick walls. Framed by ocean views on one side and a sprawling backyard space on the other, the property is completed by a verdant garden and apple orchard.

Inside the home, playful primary colors and hidden design features abound. The color theme is largely inspired by natural timber and supplemented by bold yellow, orange, green and blue elements which repeat throughout the space. The open-plan kitchen and living space seamlessly meld together to form the heart of the home. Features include an original, freestanding wood-burning stove and a generous window offering glimpses of the sea beyond.

Each detail of the space has been carefully appointed by Jacobsen and his team, and artfully positioned to yield the optimal balance of form and function. The kitchen and bathroom fittings are no exception to this rule. Here, TONI Copenhagen's Cross-handle taps in shiny chrome provide the perfect finishing touches to the home's iconic, ultra-functional layout.

The Cross-handle taps were installed during the owner's restoration in 2005, in connection with Slots and the Danish Agency for Culture. The fittings were selected for their near-indestructible quality and close resemblance to the project's original taps. With the exception of a few small updates, the property has remained largely untouched since its construction in 1956.

Today, the summerhouse remains one of Arne Jacobsen's most memorable projects and its iconic design paved the way for modern reinterpretations of the Danish summerhouse to come.