The case in summary: • The owners of one of Norway’s oldest buildings from the 1220s have completed a total renovation of the building. • The idea of adding an extension and renting out the building was discussed, but it was uncertain whether the county council would approve such a drastic change. • In autumn 2022, the owners received permission from the county council, and the restoration work could begin. • The owners believe their willingness to preserve history made cooperation with the conservation authorities easier. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s Jo For some, owning an old and listed building can be an ever so small nightmare. Not only is it expensive to maintain. There are also many considerations to take into account. On the farm of the Bolkesjø family in Notodden there is a very special building. The family originally considered donating the building, also called the nursery, to the local museum. But then something happened that made them change their minds. Drastic change Samples analyzed by NTNU in Trondheim dated the living room back to the early 13th century. – When we found out that it was 800 years old, it felt right at home here. Then we had to take on the job of restoring it too, says the owner, Anne Rokne Bolkesjø. In a forest of rules and clauses, she and her family tackled the task. The building has been both a firehouse and a home. The timber is dated to the 1220s. Photo: Roald Marker / news But what were they going to use it for? The idea of an extension and rental to tourists quickly came to the table. Nevertheless, it was uncertain whether the county council would accept such a drastic change. – Getting it approved by the county was important to us. We were afraid they would say no. OLD AND MODERN: The living room (on the right) has been restored, with new cladding and a modern extension (on the left). Photo: Anne Rokne Bolkesjø Gained knowledge The county municipality was, on the contrary, enthusiastic about the plans. In autumn 2022, the family got the permission they needed, and work could start. – Cultural heritage management is about taking care of the sources. Use is the best protection, says team leader in Cultural Heritage in Telemark county municipality, Eystein Andersen. Eystein Andersen, team leader in Cultural Heritage in Telemark. Photo: Randi Nørstebø / news He has previously stated that the yearling house is one of the country’s oldest preserved wooden residential buildings. – We extracted knowledge about the oorstua from the 13th century. First and foremost the shape of it, but also traces of craftsmanship and other things that can be found in the timber. The building was dismantled log by log. Everything was then transported to Morgedal. The old timber that came to light bears the stamp of another time. Photo: Roald Marker / news One of Norway’s oldest wooden residential buildings at Bolkesjø Gaard in Telemark. Photo: Roald Marker / news Internal timber in what may be Norway’s oldest home. Photo: Roald Marker / news Over the years the house has been moved several times. Photo: Roald Marker / news Årstua on Bolkesjø has been both a firehouse and a home. The timber is dated to the 1220s. Photo: Roald Marker / news All rot and damage was repaired by traditional craftsmen. – In this case, the cultural heritage and the building withstood quite a lot, says Andersen and adds: – An empty timber building does not give much, so one had to think how this can provide a use and useful value, beyond just being an experience. SOURCE: National Antiquities * It is these homes that are registered in the systems now, but there are constantly new dates using new methods. Ready for rental Now medieval building customs combined with modern architecture have resulted in a magnificent building. Today, the building is back on the farm of the Bolkesjø family at Notodden. Årestua is ready to welcome tourists. – When we received the third sketch from the architect, I felt that the old and the new were connected. Then I felt that we were on the right track, says Anne Rokne Bolkesjø. Photo: Roald Marker / news Just like in the old Årestua, they have the hearth in the middle of the room, visible from all sides. Photo: Roald Marker / news Inside the cabin, an 800-year-old story is being told. Such as this door, which is a copy of a medieval door from the neighboring village of Gransherad. Photo: Roald Marker / news Here you can dream 800 years back in time. Photo: Roald Marker / news The owners believe that the willingness to take care of history made the cooperation with the conservation authorities easier. – I think they think it’s fun that this will be a building that is accessible to people, says Anne Rokne Bolkesjø. A claim that the authorities themselves confirm. – After all, it is protection through use that has become an incredibly fine and good example of what can be achieved also with medieval buildings, concludes Andersen. The living room has a panoramic view of the mountains of Telemark Photo: Roald Marker / news Published 29.06.2024, at 17.18
ttn-69
800-year-old house is among Norway’s oldest – now you can use it as a holiday home – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
