Meeting with Building Department

We have met with the Building Department. While they seem to agree with our interpretation of the building regulations and gave us a lot of sympathy, we've been told that we must follow whatever advice the Preservation Department gives. The reason is that it is pointless for the Building Department to decide against the non-binding advice of the Preservation Department because the latter has a right to appeal to the County Administrative Body (Fylkesmannen), who we are told generally rubber stamps the Preservation Department advice.

So now we are left with the advice of the Preservation Deparmtment which tells us we cannot disturb any of the four exterior walls or the ground level surrounding the house. The only alternative they appear to have left us is to build a 'detached' addition, connected to the existing structure by a hallway.

We're over our heads now so we're looking for an architect.

Big Problem !

Our building application has been denied by the Preservation Department (Fylkeskommunen). Although the area and our house is regulated as a cultural landscape area, which means that everything must remain in the proper style, the Preservation Department has decided that our individual house cannot have any exterior alterations because it is historic. This is puzzling to us because our house is specifically regulated as allowing an addition as long as the proper style, but the house has now been placed, de facto, on the historic register.

We have scheduled a meeting with the town building department, which is the agency which can overturn the recommendation of the Preservation Department. We're hoping to resolve the situation because our only other alternatives are to commence a law suit or sell the property and find another house.

Application Sent to Preservation Department

We have sent an application to the preservation department (Akershus fylkeskommune) to see if our plans meet the strict requirements for preserving the cultural landscape. With about 60 pages of forms, photos, and diagrams, we are hopeful that they have all the information they need...and hope that we get approval.

If we get approval there, then we can apply to the local town for the building permit. We had a pre-application conference, though, and basically as long as the perservation department says it is OK, the town will say OK.

Modified Floorplan

We have slightly modified the floorplan. The main change is that we extended the addition a couple of feet so that the hallway and bathroom had enough space and so that internal basement walls could be placed under load bearing first-floor walls at a couple of key places.

New 3-D Exterior Proposals

Here are the latest 3-D plans. We've extended the addition on the back to include the entire length of the house because it would be more expensive and more difficult to have an outdoor area on top of an indoor, habitable room (venting issues). We've also worked on the front porch and the landscaping in the back.

Projected new Floor Plans

These are the new floor plans that we are working with. They need a few more modifications so if you have any suggestions, please post them.

Planned Renovation during Summer 2010 - Basement and Addition

Our plans are to construct a new basement where we will have three bedrooms and a bathroom. Presently, there is running water in the house, but no septic or sewer connection. The per-square-meter price of building into the basement may be more than building an addition, but the basement needs work anyways, due to settling damage, and the historic area has understandable restrictions that make it difficult to build a larger addition.

A smaller addition, however, in the proper style is not problematic. We have modeled the addition on a ca. 1920 "vinterhage" (sun room) on a neighboring house. It would expand the living room to a more modern size, as well as provide a sitting space in the kitchen.

Existing Floor Plans

This is the floor plan as it exists today. Originally, the upstairs was likely not finished and, when purchased in 2007, the kitchen was divided into two rooms.

This is Villa Nordhøi

Villa Nordhøi is a Swiss-style villa built in 1891 in the historic section of Eidsvoll, Norway. It was built by the local shoe maker and remained in the same family until we purchased it in January 2007.