Couple restores historic Uppistugu Faukstad farm in Heidal, Norway

Iver Faukstad and Thea Bjerknes made the significant decision to leave Oslo and buy the historic and preserved farm Uppistugu Faukstad in Heidal, Innlandet. Over the past two years, they have dedicated considerable time and resources to restoring the property in accordance with traditional standards, an effort praised by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage.

The couple inherited the farm from Iver’s uncle and recognized the importance of maintaining a family legacy. Despite initial uncertainty, they decided to embrace the challenge, especially after welcoming children into their lives. Their restoration efforts adhere to strict regulations since the property is a listed heritage site, meaning they face limitations on alterations.

The oldest building on the farm, a storeroom, dates back to 1655, with timbers cut in the 1300s. The main house was built in the 1790s and has been protected for a century. Hanna Geiran, the National Heritage Director, notes a growing interest among the public in purchasing and restoring such historic properties—an enthusiasm that has surged in the past 10 to 15 years.

Torill Skillingsaas Nygård, a housing and landscape section chief at Innlandet County Municipality, emphasizes that the unique quality of these historic buildings attracts especially younger demographics. She believes these homes offer more character compared to modern developments.

Iver and Thea have restored original elements like the flooring and maintained authentic colors on the walls as advised by conservation authorities. While they’ve made necessary updates for modern living, such as a child-friendly staircase and heating solutions, they emphasize the importance of balancing functionality with preservation.

Overall, they are pleased with their investment in the farm and its challenges, highlighting that renovation costs in Oslo are comparable to those in Heidal, though they acknowledge the potential difficulties of recovering expenses.