A single-family house designed by architects from Wrzeszcz Architekci studio has been built in a quiet residential area of Poznań. Borys Wrzeszcz talks about what the shape of the block is based on and what was the biggest challenge.
The facades of the house are made of cedar wood
© Wrzeszcz Architekci
one-story wood house
TheCedar House was built in a quiet residential neighborhood in Poznan. The freestanding structure was designed with a timber frame construction. Both the exterior facades and interior walls are clad in cedar wood, so that the body and interior form a cohesive whole. From the street, the facade of the building is simple, compact and closed, while from the garden the house opens up and blends in with nature. The functional layout is planned on one level, making the house comfortable and easily accessible. The interior of the house, devoid of stairs, seamlessly connects to the terrace and garden. Spacious windows provide plenty of natural light. Glazing and a terrace make the single-story house blend with its surroundings.
Large glazings and a terrace open the house to the garden
© Wrzeszcz Architects
Dobrawa Bies: What was the main inspiration for the project, what is the shape of the block derived from?
Borys Wrzeszcz: The shape of the block was determined mainly by the provision of the Local Development Plan - "minimum building height of 7.5 meters, flat roof". An odd notation like most of the provisions in local plans we encounter.... The investor wanted a one-story building. We came to the conclusion that we will make a high living room. Construction on horizontal trusses at the top. Supported by columns and selected walls. The rest of the rooms of the house of normal height.
Dobrawa Bies: What was the priority in this project?
Boris Wrzeszcz: The priority was to get a house without barriers, horizontally, protecting residents from light when it's too much, from rain when it rains. As few elements as possible, a compact body. The quality of the work and materials was also important.
The object is a one-story house
© Wrzeszcz Architects
Dobrawa Bies: What were the biggest design difficulties, and what are you most satisfied with?
Boris Wrzeszcz: The biggest challenge was the construction of the 15-meter wooden frame at the top of the living room. With minimal supports and columns. It was made entirely as a wooden truss, with steel ties. Suspended at one point from a cantilever. An engineering masterpiece. It was also difficult to obtain facade wood of good quality - cedar. In the end, it worked out. The very high level of work of the craftsmen also testifies to the quality of the house.
The interiors also used cedar wood
© Wrzeszcz Architects
In the interiors of the house, cedar wood was also used in such elements as the kitchen countertop, the lining of the shower stall, and the cabinetry in the bathroom. The BARchitecture studio from Poznan is responsible for the interior design.
