This thoughtfully designed home blends sustainability with Scandinavian simplicity, creating an efficient and adaptable living space. While achieving full Passive House certification was a challenge due to site constraints, the house still excels in airtightness and insulation, keeping energy costs impressively low. Inspired by Swedish design, the interior embraces clean lines and smart storage, while the exterior features prefabricated wood panels treated with järnvitriol for a timeless look. A hidden sauna, cleverly integrated with a heat pump system, maximizes energy efficiency. The versatile outbuilding offers flexibility—perfect for guests, extra income, or expanding the main home as needs evolve.
When Emma and Blake left Seattle’s bustling city life for the sweeping mountain scenery of Whitefish, Montana, they brought with them a shared vision: to build a home reflecting Emma’s Swedish heritage and Blake’s dedication to energy efficiency. Named for their young daughter—whose golden hair mirrors her Scandinavian ancestry—Freja House is far more than a private residence. It’s a carefully considered blend of traditional craftsmanship and forward-thinking sustainability, creating a warm family retreat as well as a showcase of responsible design.
Love Schack Architecture rose to the challenge of designing a structure that could balance Blake’s technical expertise as a mechanical engineer with Emma’s cultural influences. The resulting plan places energy efficiency at its core while preserving the inviting atmosphere characteristic of Scandinavian architecture. Instead of using Nordic elements as superficial décor, the architects integrated them authentically into the home’s form and function, making the building a true reflection of the family’s values and way of life.
From the outside, the home immediately signals its Nordic inspiration with its simple lines, steep gabled roof, and especially its distinctive exterior finish. The architects chose prefabricated timber panels treated with järnvitriol—a time-honored Swedish iron-sulfate method that accelerates the wood’s natural aging while boosting its durability. This finish gives the house its signature weathered look and helps it withstand Montana’s severe winters with elegance and strength.
Inside, the spaces are organized to maximize daylight and mountain views. Large, wood-framed windows bathe rooms in natural light and draw the outdoors in, framing the surrounding pine forest and distant peaks. Thoughtful storage and a generous mudroom make the layout practical for mountain living, accommodating outdoor gear and seasonal equipment.
The home’s energy performance also speaks to Blake’s professional commitment to efficiency. Although full Passive House certification proved impractical given the site, the building achieves exceptional airtightness and insulation, keeping utility costs low year-round. An accessory dwelling unit above the garage adds flexibility—perfect for guests or potential rental income—reflecting the architects’ understanding of today’s need for adaptable living spaces.
Freja House demonstrates how architecture can weave cultural heritage together with modern environmental priorities. Its success lies in telling a genuine story—born from the family’s own background and the architects’ craft. The result is a house firmly rooted in Scandinavian tradition yet perfectly attuned to its Montana landscape, offering an example of how a home can embody deeper meaning while treading lightly on the earth.
Love Schack Architecture
phone: 406.282.4277
email: info@loveschack.com
Love | Schack has offices in:
Bozeman, Montana
109 East Oak Street, Suite 1N, Bozeman, MT 59715
Driggs, Idaho
189 North Main Street, Suite 116, Driggs, ID 83422
Mailing: PO Box 1740, Driggs, ID 83422
https://loveschackarchitecture.com/
https://loveschackarchitecture.com/projects/freja-wxekd
Freja House - Passive House Blends Sustainability with Scandinavian Simplicity, Whitefish, Montana