Black Aurora Nook

So, what’s the plan today? Sitting on the wide, cushioned windowsill in front of the panoramic window and looking out—in this vacation home, it feels like you’re watching the most beautiful nature films on the big screen. Sometimes the Northern Lights are on the program, sometimes circling sea eagles, sometimes the setting sun reflected on the calm water. On the island of Austvågøya, the largest in the Lofoten archipelago, between the Austnesfjord and the imposing Higravstinden mountain, the Black Aurora Nook nestles in the rugged landscape. This is north of the Arctic Circle, where rugged, jagged cliffs meet turquoise blue water and white sandy beaches—you have to pinch yourself to believe that such a thing really exists. The angular wooden building in matt black blends very naturally into this magical scenery. It was designed by architect Elisabeth Dirnbacher and realized in 2022. The entire interior was customized with a local carpenter using untreated wood, from the wall paneling to the fixtures and fittings. The house is designed as a single room, divided into two rectangular areas. The different ceiling heights of two to five and a half meters create an exciting space to live in. If privacy is required, the individual sections can be closed off with large wooden sliding doors. But the house actually thrives on its openness and spaciousness—and the fact that its constantly changing natural surroundings always have exciting things in store for its residents. It’s so fortunate that this is completely unpredictable—guests can look forward to a sneak preview every day, which is so much fun because they never know what will be shown.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The living and dining room with open-plan kitchen and cozy seating area. Directly in front of the huge window front is a wooden dining table with a view of the fjord.
• The interior, which is designed entirely in light-colored wood, is repeatedly interspersed with individual elements in deep black, such as the walk-in shower.
• The two gallery levels under the pent roofs, where you can watch sea eagles (binoculars are provided)
• How cleverly the space is utilized: Despite the modest 65 square meters, everything feels airy and spacious.
• It’s so cozy here! A wood-burning stove in the living area and underfloor heating in the bedrooms and bathroom ensure that it’s really snug on cold and rainy days.
• The light shows, presented here free of charge: Mysterious northern lights color the sky in winter, while the sun is in the sky for 24 hours a day between the end of May and mid-July.
• The spectacular and varied scenery with steep cliffs, deep fjords, wild coastlines and secluded beaches

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The house is most comfortable for four guests, but it can also accommodate six people.
• Black Aurora Nook consists of an open-plan living room with kitchen and dining area, two bedrooms and a luxurious bathroom. A wooden staircase leads from the primary bedroom to the gallery (the great space with the large window seat!). The second gallery can be reached via a wooden ladder, where there’s another bed for children (140 x 200 centimeters).
• Bed linen and towels are provided, as well as a washing machine. A high chair and a baby bed can be provided on request.
• If music rather than the “Sound of Silence” is required, a Marshall speaker is also available.
• The accommodation is nestled in a hamlet with a few other cottages and is part of the mini-community of Laupstad.
• Vacations here are full of unforgettable adventures: Trekking and ski tours that start right on the doorstep, fishing trips, boat trips, sea eagle safaris and canoe trips.
• A visit to the fishing villages of Henningsvær or Kabelvåg is well worthwhile, as is a boat trip on the Trollfjord.
• Svolvær, the largest town in Lofoten, is only a 20-minute drive away. There you’ll find everything you need shopping-wise.
• The easiest way to get to the house is by car from Harstad/Narvik airport in two hours or from Svolvær airport in 15 minutes. Travelling on the E10—one of the most important Lofoten routes—is an experience in itself, as it leads through breathtaking landscapes.
• The minimum stay is four nights.

Photos: Paul Sebasta