Ytri Island Retreat – A color coated hotel at the dramatic edge of the Norwegian Sea

"The people here are absolutely fantastic to work with, and the hotel's connection to the local community is the heart of the entire project. In many ways, it became a dream commission for us," says Håkon Matre Aasarød.

Laho AS stepped in as the developer and owner of Ytri, and one of the co-owners, Ellen Hestenes, agrees that the hospitality and involvement of the local population have been crucial to their commitment as well – a commitment that has since encompassed everything from the big picture down to the smallest details.

"Those who come here should experience something truly unique, something they will remember and long to return to," says Ellen Hestenes.
 

The hotel is meant to feel like a fishing village, with a friendly, spacious, and open atmosphere.

"When we designed the hotel, we were very keen to echo the local building tradition, where fishermen built with whatever materials they could get their hands on. We were also inspired by the nothenge, a kind of open structure used for hanging fishing nets and seines out to dry," says Håkon Matre Aasarød.

That openness is now reflected in the hotel's ground floor, which is fully glazed toward the dramatic landscape.

"It's an inclusive and welcoming hotel. When you arrive here, the weather may be so rough that you need a building to shelter you. But it could also be the most beautiful summer day you've ever experienced. In summer, the sun never sets here, and then it's absolutely wonderful to sit out on the deck with a glass of wine, relax, and take in the magical view," says Håkon.

Ellen points out that many visitors also come specifically to experience the roughest weather – to sit inside by the fire and watch the storms rage outside the windows.

Anyone visiting a Norwegian coastal town usually notices one thing: the houses come in remarkably strong, clear, vibrant colors. Some say it's because the people who live here like to be seen; others argue there are practical reasons – out at sea, in shifting and harsh weather, it's important to be able to spot the houses from the boat.

"Either way, the colors are an important part of the tradition and identity of Træna. For the color choices at Ytri, we were also inspired by the heather and moss on the mountains. If you look closely, you'll see that it's actually very colorful," says Håkon Matre Aasarød.

Using sheet metal – and thus GreenCoat^® color coated steel from SSAB – on the roofs and parts of the facades was a natural choice. For one thing, sheet metal is a common material in the island's buildings, and Håkon explains that it was also important to use a material offering beautiful colors that could stand out and carry a certain glow. From the GreenCoat^® color range, Metallic Dark Silver, Metallic Silver, Silver Fir Green, and Nordic Night Black were selected. Distributed across the various building volumes, the colors appear on roofs and facades, in both sinus profiles and standing seam profiles – creating a tasteful composition that stays true to its heritage.

Durability was also a decisive factor in the choice of materials and throughout construction. The houses need to stand for many years and withstand a salty, wet climate that places high demands on both materials and installation.

"On a project with a location like Ytri's, it's especially important that the materials are installed correctly, are of high quality, and are properly followed up," says Håkon.

The result is a facility – or should we say a fishing village – that looks stunning both from a distance and from within, looking out over a fascinating landscape.

"We're very pleased with how the buildings sit in the terrain. They give the impression of being part of the houses that already exist here, even though they have a modern character and views from every room. But perhaps the best part is what's hardest to describe: the feeling of being here – the sense of calm you get," says Ellen.