Into the Wild: Vipp’s New Coastal Retreat

Along Denmark’s wild western coastline, nestled amongst the sand dunes and sweeping landscapes of the Thy National Park, sits the latest luxe offering from Danish design brand Vipp. Opening its doors in February 2024, the Vipp Cold Hawaii guesthouse brings a contemporary twist to the classic fishermen’s cottages dotted along this breathtaking stretch of rugged, windswept beach.

Blending seamlessly into the stark yet beautiful surroundings, the geometric forms of the 185 m2 single-storey property appear almost unexpectedly on the horizon. Striking in its pared back simplicity, the building echoes the sparseness of its location – a remote, sleepy corner of the tiny village Vangså where the endless secluded plains seem to roll on forever.

Inside, the guesthouse offers stylish and comfortable accommodation for up to 8 people, with 3 double bedrooms, a utility room and 2 bathrooms. But it’s the open-plan kitchen and living space that really steals the show. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame epic views of sea, sky and sand, while an elegantly understated V3 kitchen design, the brand’s latest offering, forms the anchoring focal point. Positioned centrally, it almost takes on an altar-like status according to interior designer Julie Cloos Mølsgaard, who oversaw the interiors. “The landscape is the guiding star…and centrally positioning Vipp’s V3 metal kitchen as the anchor point in the main space proved vital. It stands almost like an alter from where you can cook to the rhythm of the ocean.”

Indeed, a reverence for natural materials reigns supreme throughout the pared-back scheme. Externally, walls of roughly rendered concrete blocks brace against the elements, while inside it’s tactile wood, stone and textiles that impart a soothing sense of craft and texture. According to the architect couple Caroline Hahn and Ebbe Lavsen: “pursuing a palette of only 5 materials, processed as little as possible, was a guiding design principle in the transformation.”

This intentional rawness provides the perfect counterpoint to the surrounding coastal wilderness – all part of the guesthouse’s calming, immersive effect on its inhabitants. As Lavsen puts it: “Like the unspoiled rawness of nature that embraces you upon arrival, the house greets you with an unvarnished straightforwardness.”

So if you’re looking to escape to a rugged coastal wilderness – whether as a travelling design lover, a surfing nomad or simply an enthusiast of the wilder edges of the world – this could be the retreat for you. Just don’t forget to pack a cosy jumper!