Two architecture studios have successfully restored and expanded a celebrated 1960s Danish summerhouse, breathing new life into a modernist masterpiece that had fallen into disrepair. Studio Marshall Blecher and Jan Henrik Jansen Arkitekter completed the renovation of Vejrhøj, a summerhouse in rural Fårevejle, Denmark, adding a standalone extension that carefully mimics the original building's distinctive form and traditional thatched roof.
The original dwelling was completed in 1967 by renowned Danish architect Ole Meyer and gained international recognition for its innovative blend of modernist functionalism with traditional vernacular features, particularly its striking thatched roof. The building represented a unique architectural approach that merged contemporary design principles with Denmark's rich building traditions. However, after decades of use, the structure had deteriorated significantly and required comprehensive restoration.
In 2018, the current owners commissioned the two architecture firms to restore the historic home while adding additional space to accommodate visits from their extended family. The design team's approach was inspired by a remarkable discovery during the project planning phase. They uncovered unbuilt sketches by Meyer himself for a larger version of the original summerhouse, which featured a second, nearly identical volume positioned alongside the existing structure.
"Inspired by Meyer's unrealized ideas, we embarked on a project to rebuild and reimagine Vejrhøj, balancing new regulations and construction standards with a deep respect for the integrity of the original design," the architectural team explained. The project has been shortlisted in the house extension category of the prestigious Dezeen Awards 2025, recognizing its thoughtful approach to historic preservation and contemporary expansion.
The restoration required extensive structural work, as the existing timber framework had to be almost entirely reconstructed due to its deteriorated condition. While the architects retained and reused original elements wherever possible, they upgraded the building with modern insulation and fire-rated steel columns wrapped in pine to meet current safety standards. The new extension features board-marked concrete finishes that reference the timber-plank cladding of the original house, creating visual harmony between old and new.
A key design decision involved the positioning of the two structures within the landscape. While Meyer's original 1960s volume sits slightly elevated above the site, the architects chose to sink the new structure into the landscape, creating a subtle dialogue between the buildings. The two volumes are separated by a small courtyard that provides shelter from wind, with the original home overlooking this space from a wooden deck area.
The original volume maintains its spacious living areas, which are wrapped by full-height timber-framed sliding glass doors that create seamless indoor-outdoor connections. The main bedrooms remain tucked within timber-lined loft spaces above the living areas, preserving the building's distinctive spatial arrangement. Meanwhile, the new extension houses two guest bedrooms occupying one half of the floor plan, while a dramatic double-height shed space, overlooked by a storage mezzanine, occupies the other half.
The architects emphasized that the project's success required exceptional attention to detail and craftsmanship. "The apparent simplicity of the finished project belies a great deal of intricate craftsmanship and technical feats," the team noted. For example, achieving the minimal sliding wooden windows required collaboration with local craftsmen to develop custom composite columns incorporating steel and fire-retardant materials enveloped in pitch pine sheaths. The restoration also involved hiding high-performance insulation panels behind joinery and under wooden floors, a significant upgrade from the original house which had virtually no insulation.
Both buildings are crowned with identical thatched gable roofs, a requirement mandated by the site's protected historical status. For the original building, the roof was completely updated to comply with modern building codes while maintaining its traditional appearance. The thatched roofing represents a continuation of Denmark's vernacular building traditions and contributes to the project's seamless integration with the rural landscape.
This project represents the latest in a series of notable works by both Studio Marshall Blecher and Jan Henrik Jansen Arkitekter. Their previous collaborations include a travertine summerhouse located on Denmark's coast and the comprehensive renovation and extension of a 120-year-old thatched cottage in northern Germany. The Vejrhøj restoration demonstrates their expertise in balancing historical preservation with contemporary functionality, creating spaces that honor architectural heritage while meeting modern living requirements.
