Rever & Drage Expand Traditional Red-Painted House in Norway

This project in Rælingen, Norway, shows how an existing home can be expanded for a growing family without losing its character or environmental responsibility.

Architecture studio Rever & Drage transformed a traditional red-painted house into three interrelated volumes.

They used careful planning, material continuity, and sustainable strategies to create a contemporary dwelling that feels rooted in place.

Respecting the Character of a Traditional Norwegian Home

The original house at Chr Tomters Veg was a classic red-painted dwelling, typical of rural and suburban Norway.

Instead of replacing it, the architects kept it as the project’s anchor, preserving its essence while allowing the family’s needs to grow around it.

The result is a composition of buildings and outdoor rooms that feels both traditional and modern.

By working with the constraints of the site and existing structure, Rever & Drage show how incremental, well-considered extensions can be better than complete rebuilds for cultural continuity and carbon footprint.

Three Red Volumes Connected by Green Spaces

The long, sloping site sits between two roads.

The architects used the topography to organize the property into three red volumes connected by landscaped green spaces.

One extension is to the north, another to the south, with the original house between them.

This creates a sequence of zones—indoors and out—that support family life.

Arrival, work, rest, play, and quiet retreat are spread across the three buildings, tied together by a consistent material and color palette.

Material Language: Continuity with a Contemporary Edge

The architecture uses a disciplined and cohesive material strategy.

All three volumes share a palette of red-toned timber, brick, tile, and steel, so the additions feel like natural extensions of the original home.

Contemporary detailing keeps the project from becoming pastiche.

One distinctive element is the use of lattice facades designed to support climbing plants.

These green layers soften the red elevations over time and add seasonal variation and privacy.

Lattice Facades as Living Architecture

The lattice elements are more than decoration; they are a form of living infrastructure.

By creating vertical green surfaces, the architects improve microclimate, shade, and visual comfort while enhancing biodiversity.

As the planting matures, the extensions will become even more integrated with the landscape.

The Northern Extension: Garage, Apartment and Panoramic Study

To the north, a paved courtyard leads to a new three-storey volume.

This extension serves multiple roles for the family.

At ground and lower levels, it provides practical and flexible functions.

The uppermost level becomes a calm, elevated retreat.

The northern extension includes:

The upper study, with its warm wood interior and elevated views, contrasts with the more inward-focused spaces of the original house.

It is connected by the courtyard and an underground passage illuminated by a skylight.

Underground Connection and Daylight

The underground passageway allows direct connection in harsh weather while keeping the courtyard open.

The skylight brings in natural light, making the passage a pleasant transition between volumes.

The Southern Extension: Winter Garden and Solar Gain

At the opposite end, the southern extension is a bright, social counterpart to the north wing.

This volume is accessed through an indoor winter garden with a fireplace, acting as a space between inside and out.

The winter garden creates a protected, light-filled area that can be enjoyed year-round.

It expands the living area without needing energy-intensive solutions.

Harnessing West-Facing Light for Passive Solar Design

Large, west-facing windows in the southern extension capture afternoon sun.

This provides generous daylight and passive solar heating in colder months.

Careful orientation reduces the need for artificial lighting and mechanical heating—a practical sustainability strategy in a Nordic climate.

Warm, Tactile Interiors for Family Living

Inside the three volumes, the material language shifts from robust exteriors to warm, tactile interior finishes.

The architects combine oak, light ash, brick, and exposed concrete with painted surfaces and patterned wallpapers.

This approach delivers both durability and comfort.

Natural woods and industrial concrete create a nuanced character: soft in family spaces and more durable where needed.

Patterned wallpapers add a domestic, nostalgic touch that connects to the home’s traditional roots.

Balancing Function, Atmosphere and Longevity

These interiors are designed for longevity and adaptability.

Hard-wearing surfaces in high-traffic areas sit alongside more delicate touches in quieter rooms, ensuring the home can adapt as the family grows.

Sustainability Through Preservation and Reuse

A main goal of Chr Tomters Veg was to minimize environmental impact.

Instead of demolishing and rebuilding, the architects kept as much of the original house as possible.

The strategy focused on:

By limiting demolition and material waste, the project reduces embodied carbon.

This approach follows best-practice sustainable architecture, showing that the greenest building is often the one we already have—adapted instead of discarded.

A Model for Thoughtful, Low-Carbon Extensions

The Chr Tomters Veg project stands as a model for homeowners and designers facing similar challenges. It shows how to expand for modern lifestyles while honoring both context and climate.

Through careful siting and material continuity, Rever & Drage demonstrate a balanced approach. They use passive solar strategies and a commitment to reuse to achieve both architectural ambition and environmental responsibility.

 
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