Calcium silicate brick is a hallmark of small-house construction during the 1960s and 70s – many of the more than 600,000 single-family homes built then were clad in this pressed calcium silicate masonry. The façade material, which is maintenance-free and frost-resistant, became extremely popular. Not least because of its sun-white colour, which gave a continental expression.
But today many want to renovate away the calcium silicate brick.
“I grew up in a house like this, there's a sort of love-hate relationship with calcium silicate brick. But we need to reassess what's considered ugly – not least from a climate perspective. Demolishing fully functioning homes is a waste of resources,” says Sofia Wendel.
When Sofia Wendel and Magdalena Bjerkefors at Kaminsky Arkitektur were commissioned to redesign a calcium silicate brick villa, they designed a two-storey conservatory that covers the entire south façade. They let the larch's warm, living surface meet the calcium silicate brick's repetitive pattern.
Giving new life to a 1970s villa
“The larch's warmth and softness create a lovely contrast and give the house a more contemporary expression. We haven't tried to hide the calcium silicate brick, but meet it in a dignified way.”
Larch is used throughout the extension, both internally and externally. Cladding, window frames and details are clear-lacquered whilst the floor is oiled.
For the Lindmark family, who have lived in the house since the early 2000s, the new material choice was a natural decision.
“We decided on timber early on. But it was a challenge to find window suppliers who could deliver such large glazed sections with timber details. Many use aluminium, but that wouldn't have given the same feeling,” says Andreas Lindmark.
When the extension was completed in 2024, it quickly drew attention in the area. And even after the larch has begun to acquire its silver-grey tone, passers-by continue to stop.
“You might wonder why we didn't do this earlier – we love our conservatory and so do people passing by here.”
Creating a cohesive extension
On the upper floor there was previously a balcony in period-typical dark brown timber cladding. The narrow deck-access gallery was mainly used for storage. Now you step out onto a 2.7-metre-deep veranda that spans the entire south façade.
“Letting the extension claim the entire south façade, and not just a small part, creates a whole. Had we only taken part of the façade it would have felt patched and mended,” explains Sofia Wendel.
Colleague Magdalena Bjerkefors adds: “It's also this side you meet from the street, so it felt nice to soften it and give it warmth, whilst preserving the house's character.”
A New Heart of the Home
On the ground floor there's space for both cultivation and an insulated entrance hall. On the upper floor, French doors have been installed, creating a natural meeting between kitchen and conservatory. The spacious and bright upper floor works for both dinners and cultivation.
“It's become the home's focal point. Between April and October this is where we eat, socialise and relax,” says Andreas Lindmark.
An open section in the floor structure also creates a visual connection between the floors. Here the tomato plants can climb upwards, whilst ventilation and heat flows are enhanced.
“It was important to create a relationship between the floors, but also to make use of light, air and the family's cultivation interest,” says Sofia Wendel.
High heartwood content in larch
In Sweden there are mainly European larch, Siberian larch and hybrid larch – a cross between European and Japanese larch. Unlike spruce and pine, larch sheds its needles in winter.
Larch is a timber species with a high proportion of heartwood and is used for façades, decking and other outdoor environments. But the reputation that larch is maintenance-free is a myth. The durability of the heartwood is equivalent to pine. Drying occurs fairly quickly. The tendency for deformation and fire cracks is however somewhat more pronounced than with pine. Sometimes resin bleeding occurs, particularly at high drying temperatures and short drying times. Always pre-drill and use stainless steel fixing products.
Interest in planting larch in spruce and pine forests is increasing. This creates more varied and resilient forest stands. In 2025, approximately 3.6 million larch seedlings were planted in Sweden.
Text: Gustav Schön Photo: Kaminsky Arkitektur, Private
