Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta has designed, according to the drawings of artist Bjarne Melgaard, an extravagant, spaceship-like house called “A House to Die In”. Its potential existence seems upsetting to the general public in Norway as Snøhetta intends to build it in a location near painter Edvard Munch’s former home and atelier in Kikkut, on the West side of Oslo.

The project began in 2011 when Melgaard reached out to Olav and Frederik Selvaag with the idea of making a sculpture that would double as a house for himself to live and work in. Snøhetta was later involved and over the years through 3D drawings and modelings the house has been realised. The dwelling is angular in shape and cladded with black, burnt oak, resting on poles of white animal-shaped sculptures.

The Kikkut location was suggested naturally as the plot is owned by the Selvaag family. However, the Edvard Munch’s Studio Foundation among others are concerned on the project’s impact to the area, as they would like to preserve Munch’s legacy as much as possible. Whether the project can be built on the team’s desired location is pending authorities’ decision and the result will be announced in the coming weeks. In the mean time an exhibition documenting the house’s design process is running at Selvaag Art Collection in Oslo until 25 February.