student collective builds fireplace shelter from reclaimed materials in northern norway

"GLØDE is a small-scale fireplace located in the valley of Beiarn, Nordland, , at the foot of the Svartisen glacier. Conceived as a place for rest and gathering around fire, the project was developed and built by MA/CO - Matières Communes, a collective founded in March 2025 by architecture students from ENSAP Bordeaux. The structure emerged from a full-scale (1:1) design-build process and represents the collective's initial built work, establishing an approach centered on direct construction, material experimentation, and collaborative making."

"The project occupies an area of 24 sqm (6 × 4 meters) and was constructed over a ten-day period within a three-week journey across Europe. Designed as a sheltered resting point, GLØDE provides protection from the climate while accommodating informal gathering and pause within the landscape. The site is located in Beiarn (66.750709, 14.559033), a valley with approximately 1,100 inhabitants."

"The structure was built using approximately 90% reclaimed materials, primarily sourced from the lodge's barn and other on-site resources that had remained unused for nearly two decades. Additional elements were collected from the surrounding environment. The construction process relied on available materials and adaptive decision-making, allowing the design to evolve during assembly rather than following a predetermined system. This method supported autonomy on site and reduced dependence on new material inputs."

GLØDE is a small-scale fireplace in Beiarn valley at the foot of the Svartisen glacier, occupying 24 sqm (6 × 4 m). It serves as a sheltered resting point for gathering around fire and was realized through a full-scale design-build process by MA/CO - Matières Communes. Construction used roughly 90% reclaimed and on-site materials sourced from the lodge's barn and surroundings, enabling adaptive decision-making and autonomy on site. The shelter was built over ten days during a three-week journey and coordinated with four local farmers to reactivate a neglected area and connect with existing outdoor routes.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine