Children on Danish island build their own houses with local carpenter’s help

Every Monday after school, children on the island of Fur in Denmark learn to saw, screw, and build under the guidance of local carpenter Norwin Solies, reports Danish broadcaster DR.

The program, called Hyg og Byg (Cosy and Build), teaches children as young as 10 to construct everything from birdhouses to full-scale projects. Two regular participants, Ole Jo Wind, 10, and Jakob Husted Christensen, 11, are currently building their own small house—complete with space for a PlayStation, friends, and, as they put it, “maybe a first kiss.”

“It’s really fun,” said Jakob. “The best part is seeing the progress, knowing you’re one step closer to finishing.”

The project, which began three years ago, has grown in popularity, with up to 30 children attending on busy days. Solies, who runs his own carpentry business, funds much of the initiative himself, spending around 100,000 kroner ($14,000) so far on materials, with additional support from supplier discounts.

For Solies, the effort is about more than just teaching skills. “I don’t have children of my own, so seeing them take to this gives me something meaningful,” he said. He also hopes the program might inspire some to pursue carpentry professionally—or even attract families to move to Fur.

Educators at Fur Friskole, where the workshops are held, say the children are deeply engaged. “They ask all the time, ‘Is Norwin here today? Can we go build?’” said Kenneth Ladefoged, the school’s pedagogical leader.

Analysts see broader value in the initiative. Troels Lund Jensen of the Danish Economic Councils notes that hands-on programs like Hyg og Byg could help address a future shortage of skilled tradespeople by showing young people alternative paths to traditional academics.

The boys’ house is expected to be finished by April next year, when it will be moved to Jakob’s family garden.