An unusual 200-square-meter single-family home is under construction in the southern part of Krakow, combining organic, functional and modern design. The Organic House project, by Wojciech Szkarlat, is an example of a living space inspired by nature, in which natural materials, soft forms and muted colors play a key role. The project, which began in 2024, is under construction, and is expected to result in a house that reflects the philosophy of japandi - in the author's organic interpretation.
A single-family house is under construction in Krakow, which will combine organic, functionality and modern design
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architektura
An attempt to find organicness - inspiration from nature at the center of the project
Organic House is a story about returning to nature in a residential space. The investors - a professionally and athletically active couple with two young children - were inspired by the Japandi style, combining Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian functionality. Architect Wojciech Szkarłat gave this style an individual touch, exploring organicity in four dimensions: shape, texture, color and design. The key idea was to create an interior that soothes the senses, calms and harmonizes with the residents' rhythm of life, while standing out from standard arrangements.
The investors were inspired by the japandi style, combining Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian functionality
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architektura
Natural materials such as wood, veneer, quartzite and fluted glass became the foundation of the design. Wooden accents and stone elements, such as the monolithic quartzite kitchen island, give the interior a sculptural feel, while emphasizing closeness to nature.
Natural materials became the foundation of the Organic House project
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architektura
First: functionality - three zones for comfortable living
The house was designed with the needs of a dynamic family in mind. Its layout is based on a clear division into three zones: living, night, and sports and recreation, located on different levels, which ensures comfort of use and acoustic insulation.
Organic House in Cracow is designed to soothe the senses, calm down and harmonize with the rhythm of residents' lives
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architektura
- Daily zone (first floor): The open space includes a vestibule with access to the garage, a dressing room, a guest bathroom and the heart of the house - the kitchen, dining room and living room. This is a place for family and guest integration, where functionality meets aesthetics.
- Night zone (first floor): The master bedroom with a bathroom and dressing room, children's rooms with a separate bathroom and a guest room create a private oasis of calm.
- Sports and recreation zone (attic): Dedicated space for physical activity and relaxation, ideally suited to the Investors' sports lifestyle.
This layout not only facilitates daily functioning, but also emphasizes the harmony between different aspects of the homeowners' lives.
Organic House in Cracow - floor plan
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architektura
Organic in shape - fluidity and lightness of space
In Organic House, sharp angles were abandoned in favor of soft, rounded forms. Curved corners of walls and furniture give the interior fluidity, optically enlarging the space and creating a feeling of natural flow - like in a landscape of nature. A wooden staircase with an organic design and a quartzite stone kitchen island act as sculptural accents that catch the eye and define the character of the house.
The Organic House dispenses with sharp angles in favor of soft, rounded forms
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architektura
Special attention was paid to the guest bathroom, where a stone washbasin with a ceiling spout from Italian brand Gessi was designed. This is an example of an unusual, individual approach to design, which sets the project apart from the competition.
The guest bathroom at Organic House in Cracow.
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architektura
Organic in texture - nature to the touch
Texture plays a key role in Organic House. The oak wood on the floor, the veneer with the graphic grain of Ettore Sottsassa's 1980s design, the roughness of the quartzite on the walls and the fluted glass create a multi-layered interior that combines the rawness of nature with the elegance of design. Sottsassa veneer, used in the entrance closet and living room built-in (hiding the air conditioner), introduces a surrealistic touch, bringing the space to life. The fluted glass, in turn, serves a decorative and practical function, gently diffusing light and providing privacy in the buffer zones.
Organic House in Krakow, where texture plays a key role
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architecture
The author's arrangement of oak planks on the floor balances the richness of textures, bringing order and harmony. These are the details that make the interior not only beautiful, but also functional.
The curved corners of the walls and furniture add fluidity to the interior
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architektura
Organicness in color - an earthy palette for harmony
Organic House's color scheme draws inspiration from earthy colors - beiges, browns and subtle shades of green dominate. Light beige decorative plaster with a raw texture covers the curved walls and ceilings, creating a consistent base. The architect consciously dispensed with strong contrasts, opting for harmony and balance.
Organic House's color scheme draws inspiration from the colors of the earth
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architektura
The living area is distinguished by light coloring of wood and veneer, corresponding to daytime activities, while the night area gained darker shades, promoting tranquility. A green accent appears in the children's rooms and bathroom - a subtle nod to nature and the energy of the younger generation.
The living area is distinguished by brightly colored wood and veneer
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architecture
Organicity in design - individual furniture and design icons
Due to the specific requirements of the Investors, most of the furniture was custom designed, making maximum use of the space. The dining room is dominated by a table with a zigzag motif, set with DION swivel chairs and cloud-like lamps. In the living room, a 1970s Mario Bellini sofa, NG Design tables and Tyvek membrane lamps from New Works attract attention.
Most of the furniture was custom designed. In the dining room, for example, the centerpiece is a table with a zigzag motif.
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architecture
Flowing mirrors, including the iconic Rondo by Oskar Zięta in the bedroom, add lightness to the interior. Lighting from brands such as Tom Rossau, Wästberg, Foscarini and Aromas del Campo emphasize the sophisticated nature of the arrangement.
The bedroom at Organic House in Krakow
© Wojciech Szkarłat / Szkarłat Architektura
Organic House - the future of housing in harmony with nature
The Organic House project is a house that combines the latest trends in interior design - japanese, organic forms, natural materials - with timeless functionality and an individual approach to design. For those looking for inspiration for building, finishing or arranging a home, this project is an excellent example of how to create a space that is at once beautiful, practical and in keeping with the spirit of the times.
