Surrounded by birch and pine trees, a distinctive single-family house stood on the edge of a forest near Lodz. Because of its shape and forest surroundings, it was named the Mushroom House. We talk about the inspiration, challenges and design work with author Barbara Ziemba of the Prosty Architekt studio.
The Mushroom House in a forest setting
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The form of the building is the result of combining the archetypal idea of a house, i.e. a simple block covered with a sloping roof, with the provisions of the local zoning plan. This plan imposed on the architect the angle of slope from 30 to 49 degrees. In this way a compact body was created, varied by an arcade at the entrance and rounded corners. In the interior, thanks to the use of a semi-open plan, circulation spaces have been reduced to the necessary minimum. The staircase, located in the middle, is the core around which the daily life of the residents takes place. The facades and roof of the Fung were clad in aspen wood chip, which, combined with rounded edges, blended the house into its surroundings. The color of the cladding, which changes over time, makes the Fung similar to the surrounding nature and the passing seasons, making it an integral part of the forest landscape.
The house is divided into two zones
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Dobrawa Bies: Where did the idea for such a place come from? What were the inspirations?
Barbara Ziemba: The investors bought a plot of over a hectare in the middle of a forest area. It was one of the few designated for development. It seemed a natural design move to create something that would fit unconditionally into the existing surroundings. The main idea of the design was that the building should not be seen. Month by month, as the wood increasingly patinated, the intended effect was achieved. At first, the building stood significantly apart visually from its surroundings, but over time this changed, and as a result one had to look hard to see where it stood. What was only a theory at the beginning was successful. There has been a full symbiosis of the architecture with its surroundings.
The Mushroom House is entirely covered with aspen wood
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Dobrawa: For whom was the Mushroom House created? What were the investors' requirements?
Barbara: The Mushroom House was created for middle-aged investors who have three grown daughters. They visit the Mushroom occasionally. Therefore, the house was divided into two zones: the first floor is a fully sufficient space for the investors, and the attic serves as an additional function for offspring and friends. The design work was arduous. The investors did not have specific needs from the beginning, during the presentation of successive concepts and long discussions, these needs were identified and mostly met. And this was the longest process. We started with a simple barn form and ended up with a Mushroom.
The copper chimneys are a detail
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Dobrawa:The form of the house and the materials used are unusual. Please tell usmore about the design work.
Barbara: The form of the Mushroom is archetypal. The almost square projection covered with an envelope-shaped pitched roof was entirely covered with aspen chips. In my conception, the house was to be "clad" with cladding, so I decided to splay all the corners. The only details, other than the splaying, are the eaves finished with black-painted OSB and aspen chip decor , and the copper minimalist chimneys. The design work was a pleasure. I was given tremendous room to create details.
Dobrawa: What caused the greatest design difficulties, and what are you most satisfied with?
Barbara: The biggest design difficulty was the roof truss structure. It is unusual because the entire attic is one big open space with a rather prominent, for wooden structures, hanging element over the entrance. The challenge was to find a builder and then a contracting company. I'm most pleased with the fact that the longer the investors live there, the more it becomes apparent that the proposed residence model works both functionally and formally. This house lives together with the residents. An atmosphere has been created in the building that makes it a real HOME. Life has been breathed into the Mushroom Mushroom. He lives and gives joy. And this satisfies me the most.
Dobrawa: Thank you for the interview!
