MOOMOO architects have designed a house consisting of two white blocks with a contemporary, minimalist form. Centered around a large tree-lined patio, the single-family house, named K01, blurs the boundaries between inside and outside.
TheK01 house is a two-building structure, open to the surroundings, situated on a large, partially wooded plot. The first floor walls in the form of freestanding concrete razor blades delineate several zones in the open space of the living area - a living room zone combined with an outdoor seating area, a kitchen zone with a dining terrace, and a spa zone. The spa area is gently separated from the rest of the house, providing an ideal environment for relaxation independent of the daily life of the rest of the house. The sleeping area is located in a second, more enclosed unit set directly on the open structure of the first floor.
The K01 house consists of two stacked volumes
© MOOMOO
The procedure of combining concrete veins with large windows makes the living area open and well-lit, while closing the house off from the entry area ensures privacy for the residents. The entire building was designed around a patio, which opens up to the interior of the house, bringing plenty of light inside.
The entire property was designed around a patio with a tree
© MOOMOO
Dobrawa Bies: What was the main inspiration for the project, what is the shape of the block derived from?
Michal Jarzyna: The building was intended to have a contemporary, straightforward form. It consists of two white masses - a garage section at the first floor level and a sleeping area at the first floor level placed on concrete walls. A narrow isthmus between the blocks introduces a line of natural light along the entrance axis, allowing the tension between one block and the other to play.
Dobrawa Bies: What was your priority for this project?
Michal Jarzyna: The priority was to bring the environment inside the house. The beautiful large plot of land and the greenery around provided the perfect context for the architecture. We also wanted the house to be built around a tree in the patio, which would take the form of a natural sculpture. In addition, in the evening it would be exposed by lighting, creating a unique atmosphere.
The investors wanted to get a sizable space for meetings with numerous friends
© MOOMOO
Dobrawa Bies: What were the investors' expectations?
Michal Jarzyna: The investors like to meet with friends and wanted us to create a unique space for them to do so. Hence the space for a 16-person table and a large terrace canopy by the kitchen. A separate meeting area is a spa with a sauna, jacuzzi and a separate terrace, which in the future can be supplemented with an outdoor pool. In addition, the investors are very fond of the rawness of concrete on both the facade and interior.
The white lump of the floor floats on a concrete structure
© MOOMOO
Dobrawa Bies: What caused the greatest design difficulties, and what are you most satisfied with?
Michal Jarzyna: The biggest difficulty was to achieve a two-story living room that would not create the impression of a heavy, monolithic mass on the facade. By setting the living room slightly back from the face of the facade, it was possible to emphasize the white mass of the first floor floating on a concrete substructure. We are satisfied with the fact that it was possible to combine many unconventional solutions in the house, but being inside, we are not overwhelmed by them.
