The founder of a high-end Danish kitchen design company set sail on a quest to downsize to a houseboat that would channel his love of minimalism
Pictures: Birgitta Wolfgang
Houseboats don’t usually look this slick, but in Denmark, the nation’s love of design is leading a new look.
When Søren Garde Hvalsøe and his wife wanted to downsize, they were inspired by a concept they’d seen in their Danish city.
He started to think about their next move differently after purchasing a houseboat for his son in the new micro-district of Urban Rigger in Refshaleøen.
The area features a series of affordable, carbon-neutral, reconstructed, floating shipping containers designed by Bjarke Ingels.
Ingels takes a different view on sustainability. Instead of hectoring, the approach is playful and has been monikered hedonistic sustainability by the international design community.
They turned to architect Anders Halsteen to implement a higher-end version of that thinking.
He suggested a two-storey, two-bedroom, two-bathroom abode, which features large sliding glass doors facing the water and several terraces across its two levels.
They wanted to maximise the main communal living areas and avoid wasting square meters on less-used spaces, such as bedrooms and bathrooms.
The houseboat has a minimalist interior and has a standout kitchen.
This is not surprising. Søren is the founder of Garde Hvalsøe, a high-end, Copenhagen-based kitchen company that has crafted a reputation for high-quality cabinetry and bespoke interiors, qualities that are abundantly apparent in his new floating home.
He also loves to cook, as is evidenced in the open displays of hanging pans and pots and the breccia imperiale quartzite countertop.
Next to the oak island is a dining area to entertain guests. It is a vintage Bruno Mathsson table paired with black PP201 Wegner chairs.
There’s also an outdoor terrace dining area, an important addition for the couple, who enjoy warmer evenings dining on the deck under the roof overhang, tucked away behind large plants.
The table is by Børge Mogensen, paired with Italian chairs.
What’s it like to live on?
“It moves ever so slightly, but it is barely noticeable, except when there is a storm. But being surrounded by water has an incredibly calming effect on the senses. It gives you peace of mind.”
The lower ground level houses the principal bedroom, which includes a small outdoor terrace that is 10 centimetres below sea level.
A ladder provides access to the water.
Fabricated by Dirkmarine, a Danish naval architecture and marine engineering firm with expertise in this type of floating modernist homes, it was manufactured in Poland and then floated to Copenhagen, where it was installed at its new dockside location on Dokøen Island.
The home features creature comforts such as underfloor heating, using heated seawater.
It has an integrated heart recovery system and energy battery that powers the heating, all within a 100-year maintenance-free hull, explains Jesper Dirk, Dirkmarine’s CEO.
Luxuries include a wine room in fine oak that is climatically controlled by an under-floor system cooled by the surrounding water.
The first floor is laid with Dinesen fine oak flooring, while the exterior is dark.
Black wooden slats wrap the exterior. Facing the public dock, the front of the houseboat features porthole-style windows to provide a degree of privacy.
Customisation was also essential. While securely moored at a permanent address, the property is more exposed to the elements.
To ensure the Wever Ducré lamps from Anker & Co would remain secure in rough weather, for example, Søren had the arms specially made in iron instead of using cabling.
If you wanted something similar in Ireland, you can expect to pay about €750,000 for it, Dirk says.
It costs about DK KR 40,000 per square metre. This price includes having it fabricated and floated to its mooring, which he describes as “tugboat action”.
Finding a mooring is less straightforward.
“It is a global problem finding a nice mooring,” Dirk says. “You need the comfort of calm water, a sheltered bay, harbour, river or lake.”
