“The journey starts there, into the forest. And that's just breathtaking. You're driving on this road, it's just you. You go through this forest land and then suddenly this black building out of nowhere just stands there, waits for you. It's a huge contrast. I think it's fun. It's challenging. It's evoking something in you when you don't expect something like that just standing there. Because it's actually out of this world in terms of the view of it when you arrive.”
We’re in great company with Kristian and Christine, Founders and Owners of PAN Hytter, where they’ve built treetop cabins and restored a cafe on their 3rd generation farm outside of Oslo, Norway, inviting guests who want to experience the quiet of the forest, exciting activities, and extraordinary animal life combined with modern architecture and design.
After following their own careers, personal passions, and pursuing life with a taste for adventure, Kristian asked Christine a simple and naive question - if she would return to his family farm to build upon it - and thus PAN was born.
In this episode, Kristian and Christine share their playful purpose behind all that they have created and curated in PAN, their multi-award winning and pioneering architecture they pair with this stunning sense of place in Finnskogen, Norway, no matter the season.
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Top Takeaways
[1:55] Both Kristian and Christine come from families with a passion for international travel and adventure, from traveling America’s Wild West to working for the Rockefellers, from Olympic Alpine Skiing to pursuing drama school.
[8:45] The plan was never to move back to Kristian’s family farm. Kristian enjoyed his music-filled urban life but was looking for a new perspective. Christine had her sights set on NYC or LA until she was asked, “Do you want to take over a farm with me?” and the rest is history!
[15:25] “PAN” stands for so much more than it looks - from its mythology roots as the god of the forest to the playfulness of Peter Pan, from the panoramic views to the capital letter “A” for the A-frame cabins.
[19:50] The journey begins on the edge of the forest…into the woods to find PAN you go! You cannot miss the treetop cabins as their black facade, big bright windows, warm interiors and cozy fabrics contrast yet compliment the green nature surrounding them.
[23:45] Sustainability goes beyond being energy efficient and off grid. It is rooted in generations of stewarding this land, showing guests all that is there, and what all we could lose if we don’t play our part.
[26:30] Expect to Dine In Good Company at Café Søstuen2280, where Christine and Kristian share with guests a taste of local, organic and homemade dishes, produce and products out of a colorful renovated old log house.
[29:30] From adventures on the river to wolf safaris, from horse drawn sleigh rides to a treetop climbing park, from skiing and snowshoeing to fishing and biking, from relaxing spa treatments to “gapahuk” social cabins, there is something for everyone through all the seasons
[32:20] “PAN is like my third child,” but like all children, you have to let them grow. How wellness and more is in store for the future of PAN, from outdoor wood fired hot tubs to saunas and spa products to international investors and destinations.
[36:45] You may have heard of Japanese “shinrin yoku” or “forest bathing” but have you heard of the Norwegian “friluftsliv” philosophy of “connecting to nature by being in nature”?
Notable Mentions
Norwegian Lovage Soup
