The project "House on Grabow 2" from 77 Studio of Architecture is an example of perfectly sustainable architecture that fits in with the surrounding nature. The body of the building, designed in a modern style, uses natural materials and solutions that promote ecology.
Geometric simplicity and harmony with the environment
"House on Grabow 2" has a similar cubic volume (almost 300 sq m in area) to "House Between" . - another project of this studio. Both buildings are part of a complex of four single-family houses in Ursynów. The body of the house is based on simple, geometric forms, which clearly emphasize the modern character of the project. However, minimalism here does not mean austerity - on the contrary, the composition of materials and details was designed with great sensitivity to the context of the place. An interesting juxtaposition was used on the facade . Brick in shades of gray is mixed here with light wood and milky glass. These materials, although diverse in texture, harmonize with each other in color, creating a coherent and balanced whole. The wood warms the austerity of the glass, and in combination with the surrounding greenery reinforces the impression of naturalness. The subtlety of the means used ensures that the house does not dominate the surroundings. On the contrary, it blends into the landscape and becomes an organic part of it.
- This time, the small plot of land prompted us to use design solutions that allowed us to make it optically smaller, while at the same time providing the householders with a sense of intimacy," says architect Pawel Naduk.
From the perspective of the garden, the house looks extremely modern and light. Large glazings on the side of the green private zone provide a seamless connection of the interior with nature and maximum daylight. The subtle structural frame emphasizes the minimalist character of the architecture, while aluminum louvers on the first floor provide privacy and protect against excessive heat. Subtle materials and precisely designed architectural details create a minimalist composition that does not compete with its surroundings, but blends harmoniously with them. As a result, the house almost blends in with the greenery.
The facade was finished with brick in shades of gray, light wood and milky glass
Photo by Piotr Krajewski
Privacy, light, greenery
The windows in the upstairs bedrooms have been equipped with modern façade blinds, which allow precise regulation of the amount of light entering the interior. This solution not only increases the comfort of the rooms, protecting the interiors from overheating on hot days, but also allows residents to have full control over the atmosphere in their private space. However, the architects took care to ensure that protection from the sun does not mean complete isolation from the garden and surrounding greenery. Outdoor plant pots were designed between the louvers and the glazing, creating small private gardens belonging to each bedroom. These green niches serve multiple functions: first, they provide a buffer between the interior and the outside world, second, they increase the residents' sense of privacy, and third, they allow direct contact with nature without having to go down to the first floor. Vegetation also acts as a natural filter that improves air quality and dampens noise, and has a soothing effect on homeowners. The combination of louvers and garden niches is an example of thoughtful design, where functionality goes hand in hand with aesthetics and the need to be close to nature - even on the first floor of the house.
Part of the upper floor is covered by a green facade
Photo: Piotr Krajewski
The upper floor of the house has been partially planted with vegetation, creating a striking green facade. It performs not only a decorative function, but also a functional one. The greenery naturally shields the facade from excessive heat, especially in the summer months. However, this is only one element of a well-thought-out system of thermal protection for the building. Overheating is also limited by carefully placed arcades, pergolas and openwork. These architectural elements not only cast shadows and reduce insolation, but also create a fascinating play of light in the interiors and on the surface of the facade, adding lightness and dynamics to it. Thanks to this, the contours of the building mass are optically blurred, and the architecture itself gains the impression of fluidity and openness. This solution combines aesthetics with functionality - it provides thermal comfort inside the house, enhances visual qualities and promotes harmonious integration of the building into the surrounding landscape. The transparency of the lower floor contrasts with the more closed but equally modern upper floor - which makes the whole appear as a dynamic, but also very functional residential building. Both the facade and the garden arrangement were designed to create a cohesive, intimate environment. Tall trees and dense greenery along the borders of the plot not only provide shade and a pleasant microclimate, but also effectively isolate the house from neighboring properties. The vegetation here plays the role of a "living fence" that provides comfort to the residents without enclosing them in an artificial, isolated space.
In the best light
In order to provide the best possible light in the garden, the body of the building was located directly at the northern border of the plot. Such a measure allowed maximum opening of the space from the south and west sides - where sunlight is most abundant. As a result, the garden becomes a natural extension of the living area, and the sun's rays can freely penetrate into the interiors throughout the day. Large glazings, present on both the ground and first floors, further open up the interiors to the garden. This allows sunlight to penetrate into all functional zones. As a result, the boundary between inside and outside is blurred - the house literally lives in the rhythm of nature. Despite the use of modern solutions, the project does not dazzle with technology, but remains economical in expression. The whole project was designed for the comfort of users, but also for visual tranquility and harmony. As a result, everyday functioning in the space acquires a quality that goes beyond the purely utilitarian dimension.
Large glazings open the interiors to the garden and provide access to sunlight
Photo by Piotr Krajewski
Neighborhood of modern architecture
In close proximity to "Dom na Grabowie 2" is another building designed by the same office , "House with a Box". Both developments form a coherent landscape of modern single-family architecture, characterized by elegance of form, thoughtful proportion and attention to the relationship with the environment. Despite differences in appearance and spatial layout, the two houses are united by minimalist aesthetics and a similar approach to shaping the relationship between architecture and greenery.
"House with a Box" and "House on Grabow 2", which are part of a complex of four single-family houses in Warsaw's Ursynów district
Photo: Piotr Krajewski
Are you building a house? We have more inspiration for you!
Compiled by:KATARZYNA SZOSTAK
