Studio BB Architects, taking advantage of the advantages of a narrow plot, created a design for a single-family house, where one spends hot days pleasantly. Perpendicular, stacked blocks create a characteristic overhang shading the spacious terrace, and the use of a special drainage system on the roof creates a waterfall flowing into the backyard pool.
A narrow plot of land defined the elongated shape of the house, and the whole is formed by two elongated rectangular blocks laid on top of each other. To add dynamism, the second floor was significantly offset from the first floor, creating a characteristic overhang. Due to the unevenness of the terrain, the architects decided to recess the living area in relation to the first floor, giving it a larger and open space on two floors.
The house is formed by two cuboidal blocks
© Studio BB Architekci
Theplan of the house is divided into three zones on the first floor: an entrance area with a garage space, a living room area with an adjacent kitchen and a spa area. Similarly, on the first floor, the central living room zone allows access to two independent bedroom zones. The elevated living room totals nearly 100 square meters, along with a 7-meter-high mezzanine with a separate dining area. This large space is divided by a fireplace that hangs from the ceiling of the higher floor. The living room is also decorated with an openwork staircase, separating the zone from the partially open kitchen.
The narrow plot influenced the shape of the house
© Studio BB Architects
Taking advantage of the very expansive garden, the authors proposed a zone with a swimming pool, which was also placed lower in relation to the terrace area due to the slope of the land. On the roof, the architects placed an overflow through the attic wall, which allows the use and drainage of rainwater and its ecological use - the waters fall directly into the pool, where they will be filtered.
The living room zone extends to two floors
© Studio BB Architects
Dobrawa Bies: What was the main inspiration for the project, what is the shape of the block derived from?
Tomasz Bradecki: The shape of the block is due to the dimensions of a very narrow and long parcel of land 14.9×116.43 meters, and the fact that the entire plot slopes down a lot - by almost 10 meters along its length, and by about 2 meters along the length of the house. Such plots are unusual and unfortunately suboptimal. They provide a beautiful view, but to a limited extent - only from rooms exposed to the slope. That's why on the north side we proposed a single, long elevation virtually devoid of windows - the exception is a fire-resistance luxuriant for the kitchen window. The remaining rooms are illuminated from the south side.
Dobrawa Bies: What was your priority in this project?
Tomasz Bradecki: Dreams are importantin this project, which we materialize in a very concrete way. We wanted to achieve the effect of a pure form of two solids - a compact and heavy cuboid embedded in the terrain and a light cuboid placed on it, which balances on the edge of possible balance. The priority was to develop the extensive terrace in front of the living room and at least partially shield the large glazing from rain and sun. The terrace itself could not be typical due to the considerable rainfall of the area.
The overhang creates shade on the terrace
© Studio BB Architects
Dobrawa Bies: What were the expectations of the investors?
Tomasz Bradecki: The investors expected an extensive but fairly typical functional program. An important point was a large, two-story high living room with a spacious impressive staircase. We wanted this living room to be breathtaking and allow one to admire the surroundings. A bedroom located at the very end of the overhanging cuboid on the first floor was to provide a similar effect.
Dobrawa Bies: What posed the greatest design difficulties, and what are you most satisfied with?
Tomasz Bradecki: The presented design is our own variant to the one chosen by the investors. It is a bit of our dream of what a really unique, very unusual house could look like. The second concept - no longer so spectacular, chosen by the investors - was, however, just as difficult in terms of design. Foundations, adjustments to the slope and, above all, ensuring a good functional layout in such a narrow area caused many difficulties. The realized concept has the same dimensions, but is devoid of an overhang and has a slightly differently solved floor.
