Woman encloses home in huge greenhouse to keep a warm environment and grow fresh food year-round

Margit-Kristine Solibakke Klev, an architect near Kongsberg, Norway, designed a unique home with a greenhouse for her family.

This innovative residence merges modern living with traditional agriculture, showcasing a harmonious blend of architecture and sustainability.

Margit-Kristine and her family, who relocated from Oslo, built their new home on a property they had owned for over a decade.

“I grew up here, so I had property out here. I actually kept it for 10 or 15 years before we decided whether we wanted to stay here or not,” she shared

Driven by the harsh local climate and a desire for homegrown food, they incorporated a greenhouse into their design.

The greenhouse was erected before the house. This preemptive construction ensured it could withstand Norway’s heavy snowfall, which can reach up to 1.5 meters in winter.

The greenhouse’s glass and steel frame supports the snow load, while the roof’s angle allows snow to slide off in the sun.

“That’s why we have the building in front of the door, to catch the snow that slides down and lands,” Margit-Kristine said.

Inside the greenhouse is a family home of about 250 square meters, and a lush variety of plants thrives. The space features fruit trees like peaches, apricots, almonds, fig trees, and blackberries.

Despite the cold Norwegian winters, the greenhouse provides an environment conducive to growing fruit that would otherwise be impossible to cultivate outdoors.

The plants, some only five years old, grow rapidly due to the greenhouse’s protection and abundant sunlight.

The home itself is designed to complement the greenhouse. The structure features traditional Norwegian wood and insulation, with large windows for natural light and ventilation.

The house’s orientation maximizes passive solar gain, creating a warm and inviting space even in winter.

During February, the temperature inside the greenhouse can reach 20°C on sunny days, a stark contrast to the -5°C outside. This thermal efficiency allows for year-round gardening and comfortable living.

The interior of the home with a greenhouse reflects a commitment to both functionality and aesthetics.

The kitchen, with its extensive glass walls, is designed to stay open to the greenhouse in summer, providing easy access to fresh herbs and fruits.

The flooring, made of micro cement over concrete, functions as a heat sink, absorbing and gradually releasing warmth throughout the day.

Meanwhile, energy efficiency and sustainability are at the core of the home’s design. The owners use traditional and modern methods to manage their resources.

They compost on-site, utilizing leaves, fruit waste, and manure from their animals to enrich the soil.

The family also owns a small farm where they keep Norwegian sheep. These traditional sheep are known for being friendly and are well-suited for meat.

“They eat everything and live outside even in winter,” said Margit-Kristine.

The greenhouse also has a separate space for growing chilies, peppers, and tomatoes, further extending their self-sufficiency.

Beyond their agricultural pursuits, the family has also embraced a sustainable lifestyle in other areas. They use renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to power their home and reduce their carbon footprint.

Additionally, they have implemented water-saving measures, including rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation systems.

The family’s lifestyle is deeply connected to their home and garden. They have created a space where food production and family life are intertwined.

Their dedication to self-sufficiency is evident in their careful management of resources and the array of preserved foods they store for the winter months.

From their custom-built greenhouse to their sustainable practices, their home is a testament to innovative living in harmony with nature.

As they refine their living environment, Margit-Kristine and her family remain committed to their vision of a self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle, all while nurturing a unique home with a greenhouse.

“It’s important that the kids understand the work needed to grow food and eat more vegetables. We don’t need to go anywhere to find what we need because we have it all here,” she said.

Check out how amazing the Solibakke Klev family’s home with a greenhouse is in the video below:

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