Verner Panton & Steni
When architect Paal Johan Kahrs chose to use Steni’s façade panels on his own cabin, it was based on inspiration from his 1960s Panton chairs – and architectural considerations. When the architect had his own holiday home built in 2014, at Lerøy outside Bergen, one of the buildings he himself was most pleased with was ready for use. “The cabin is like a jewellery box – smooth on the outside and soft on the inside,” says Kahrs.
Kahr’s cabin is like a jewel in the woods.
ContrastsThe main form of the building is clad with Steni’s façade panels in a special colour. The panels were selected as the material for the clean, simple form to contrast with the coarse natural stone walls and the painted woodwork; the materials serve to highlight each other.
“I wanted a uniform, even surface that was weatherproof and virtually maintenance-free,” says the Bergen architect, explaining that he always chooses materials based on architectural considerations.
Working with Steni, I received more help than expected. I wanted a uniform, even surface that was weatherproof and virtually maintenance-free.Paal Johan Kahrs
Outside and inside
The simple, orange, cubic shape of the main part of Kahr's cabin has large openings and glass panels on all sides. The Steni façade panels are the same colour as the eight 1960s Verner Panton plastic chairs that surround the kitchen table.
“I took colour samples of the chairs and sent the colour codes to STENI. We had to try a couple of times before we found the exact orange colour I wanted,” he says.
Plays with colours
“The challenge was that the chairs are glossy while I wanted the Steni façade panels to be matt. In the end, we found a good solution thanks to all the wonderful follow-up from Steni,” says Kahrs, who has a very conscious relationship with his use of colour. The Bergen Science Centre, which is aimed specifically at children and young people, is a good example. “The use of colour gives the building a playful feel,” he says.
These 1960s Verner Panton chairs inspired the colour of the façade panels.
Excellent assistance
When the choice of material for the façade fell on the Steni façade panels, it was also partly due to the fact that Steni had so many formats and variations – including corner solutions – which no one else could offer.
“Steni provided excellent assistance during the design phase and helped me find the right formats. That made the installation a breeze,” says Kahrs. He says he will gladly use Steni’s products again when they fit with his architectural ideas.
“Working with Steni, I received more help than expected,” he says.
Façade panels with a uniform, even surface that are weatherproof and virtually maintenance-free, combined with natural materials, give the cabin a distinctive character.
