Villa Lerkil
Villa Lerkil is a private house on the rocky coastline of Lerkil, south of Gothenburg, completed in 2024. Set on a sloping gneiss outcrop between cultivated land and the Kattegat, the project responds to a six-metre change in level through a long, narrow volume embedded in the terrain. A parallel wall and stepped passage create a sheltered approach, while the house gradually opens towards the sea, culminating in a single large glazed opening framing the horizon. Constructed from hemp-lime elements finished with clay plaster and weathered timber, the building combines natural materials, passive climate regulation and a close relationship to the landscape.
Clay on Rock
Set in a commanding position overlooking the Kattegat, Villa Lerkil demonstrates how expressive architecture can operate in tandem with the building materials of the future.
This exploratory yet understated private house incorporates a range of bio-based materials, enabling a significant reduction in conventional construction components such as concrete and plastics. The foundation and basement are executed using a specialised system of foam glass and lightweight steel beams, effectively replacing traditional concrete slabs and expanded polystyrene insulation almost entirely.
The restrained architectural expression carries a distinctly contemporary character, articulated through a clear sequence of rooms and functions with deliberate spatial separation. Originally conceived as a single-storey dwelling, the design evolved when the client requested a cool, sheltered bedroom partially embedded below ground. What might initially appear unconventional ultimately resolved into a natural split-level solution, as the house was positioned within a sloping landscape.
Through committed and forward-thinking clients, Wingårdhs has been able to advance further in the transition toward sustainable construction. Villa Lerkil utilises prefabricated hemp-lime wall elements, making it the largest house in Sweden to date built using this method. The system eliminates the need for gypsum boards and plastic vapour barriers, contributing to a healthier indoor climate with balanced humidity levels.
Hemp-lime’s hygroscopic properties allow the walls to absorb and release moisture, creating thermal stability and a sense of warmth while preventing overheating. The material also actively regulates indoor air humidity. Internally, the walls are finished with clay plaster, further reinforcing the calm and harmonious interior environment.
Villa Lerkil is both a technical exploration and a fully realised architectural work — where sustainable innovation is not experimental in appearance, but embedded in a robust and enduring spatial framework.
“It is the result of a close dialogue between client and architect, of a curiosity to test new solutions, as well as knowledge and precision in detailing and execution.
In 1977, Gert Wingårdh founded his architectural firm; 49 years later, he remains both curious and relevant.”
-Joakim Kaminsky - Arkitektur 1/26
