The goal of the architects from BECZAK / BECZAK / ARCHITEKCI studio was to create a resident-friendly house, firmly embedded in the context of the surrounding greenery, which is not an alien element in the forest landscape. Thanks to the materials used and the composition, the solid blends with nature. The house opens up to the cadres of the forest, while providing intimacy despite the neighboring buildings.
In the designed house near Warsaw, one can clearly distinguish between the night part and the day part. This division is defined by the main entrance axis of the premise, around which the function and composition of the facade has been developed. The location of the existing greenery shaped the projection of the building, creating minimalist atria along the vertical axis.
The house is hidden among the forest landscape
© BECZAK / BECZAK / ARCHITEKCI
Dobrawa Bies: The house is hidden in the midst of the forest, but at the same time open thanks to huge glazing. Tell us about the solutions and design decisions.
BECZAK / BECZAK / ARCHITECTS: The living area was opened to attractive northern and southern views of the forest, while it was closed off to the east. This zone is equipped with a comfortable kitchen, living room and dining room. The living room space is two-story, opening up with large glazing to the most attractive southern side of the plot. Above the living room there is a mezzanine with a workspace. The glazing used there allows the landscape to be incorporated as part of the interior. The western part of the building consists of a night area and a utility area. The house was designed with a single-generation family in mind. The comfortable master bedroom area is equipped with the function of a large dressing room with a laundry room and a bathroom. The whole is complemented by a guest room and a two-car garage with the possibility of adapting it into a smaller apartment. Each of these parts is adjoined by terraces incorporated into the body.
The location of the existing greenery has shaped the projection of the building, creating minimalist atria along the vertical axis
© BECZAK / BECZAK / ARCHITEKCI
Dobrawa: What were the assumptions and inspirations?
BECZAK / BECZAK / ARCHITECTS: The inspiration for the facade came from old planks found on the lot, arranged vertically like the surrounding pine trunks. The composition is complemented by natural stone, which is an element of the forest. The facade materials used correspond to the identity of the site. The vertical divisions of the facade are cut by thin horizontal lines of canopies, which wrap around the entire block. They have been slightly offset from the outer plane of the facade, letting the sun's rays glide through the wood. The entire terraces are surrounded, referring to the trunks of pine trees, by vertical steel shielding ro ds together with greenery climbing over them, giving a feeling of privacy.
Steel shielding rods together with climbing vegetation refer to pine trunks
© BECZAK / BECZAK / ARCHITECTS
Dobrawa: What did the investors expect? What were the design challenges?
BECZAK / BECZAK / ARCHITECTS: The investors' expectations were to create a house that is functional and respects the identity of the place. The building was to blend in with the forest, giving a sense of intimacy at the same time opening up to beautiful natural forest images. A major design challenge turned out to be the design process itself and the result, which was to meet the expectations of an extremely conscious, and precise investor. The main assets of the house are the balanced composition complementing the forest. The body of the building is composed of smaller parts, creating atria, which give the opportunity to preserve the existing trees inside. The axial layout of the facade organizes the whole jittery composition, blending the house into the forest landscape. Spaces inside include greenery in the frame, making it the most attractive element of the minimalist interior.
Dobrawa: Thank you for the interview!
interviewed : Dobrawa Bies
