While some people may own their own forests so as to enjoy its appearance or tranquility, a couple in Norway decided to physically put theirs to work. After calling on the architectural prowess of the Norway-based firm Tyin Architects, the couple harvested a healthy helping of spruce timber to construct a beautifully designed Norwegian cottage. What’s perhaps even more impressive about the build is how the couple insisted on undertaking almost all the construction work themselves — something the architects acknowledged as extremely “rare.”
Situated next to a nearby marshland, the stunning home boasts incredible views of an adjacent sea as well as its surrounding rocky terrain. While designing the home, Tyin Architects made it a point to preserve the area’s natural surroundings and leaned on a sustainable model which would allow the owners to remain modest in energy consumption and the type of materials used. Furthermore, the owners decided to leave their spruce siding unfinished, instead preferring it to fade to a much lighter shade — a color that fits perfectly with its surroundings.
“The cottage holds a special place in contemporary Norwegian culture,” said the architects. “A few generations back the majority of the Norwegian people made a living from farming, fishing, or lumbering, trades which afforded closeness with nature. In the contemporary and urbanized way of life, the cottage is a means maintaining this closeness.”
Built upon a concrete base, the main area of the cottage — which sits on three levels — consists almost entirely of beamed ceilings and studwork. Whereas the exterior siding remains faded, the interior shines with brightly colored spruce, making the home seem lit up even if it’s not particularly bright outside. Furthermore, the home checks in at just 645 square feet though depending on where an onlooker views the home, it appears larger (from the west) or smaller (from the east) based on its exterior architecture.
Designed and built at a cost of roughly $202,000, this Skardsoya-based cottage is a dream come true for the owners. From sourcing the building material out of their own forest to constructing the residence almost entirely on their own, it’s a foregone conclusion the couple won’t mind one bit reaping what they’ve sowed.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.