On an elongated plot of land carved by an existing escarpment, a team from Poznan-based Wrzeszcz Architects designed a sizable single-family house. The horizontal block is distinguished by a structure that makes the object seem to levitate.
view from the garden
Photo: Przemyslaw Turlej © Wrzeszcz Architekci
The task faced by the architects was to create a house based on the elevation of the terrain so as to slightly lift the block and allow the residents to admire the views in the distance.
The authors of the architectural design — Borys Wrzeszcz, Mariusz Wrzeszcz and Jaroslaw Bajer — collaborated with designer Krzysztof Lawniczak on this project. The result?
A cross-section
© Wrzeszcz Architekci
The levitating corners of the house were made in a suspended structure. They are held by a reinforced concrete truss at the level of the roof attic. The concrete strip at the top of the roof highlights the actual structure of the building, the designers from {tag:pracownia} explain. — The body of the house is complemented by a black frame surrounding the front elevation, the corners of which hang in the air. Cars enter the garage under one of the hanging corners, while the other hovers over the garden and supports the outdoor terrace — they add.
hanging corners
Photo: Przemyslaw Turlej © Wrzeszcz Architekci
The -1 level, which in addition to the garage houses children's rooms and technical and sports areas with a sauna, from which one can go directly to the garden, is formed by a simple reinforced concrete block.
plan of level -1
© Wrzeszcz Architekci
There is definitely more going on on the façade and in the floor plan of the upper part. Wooden elements appear on the exterior, warming and diversifying the austere, minimalist form of the house. The entrance is emphasized by a diagonally running wall, which gently leads to the door.
level 0 plan
© Wrzeszcz Architekci
In the interior, this solution creates a triangular auxiliary room hidden behind the spacious kitchen. All zones located on the southwest side of the first floor — the dining room, living room, office and bathroom — open up to a view precisely framed by the black frame surrounding the facade.
black frame on the facade
Photo: Przemyslaw Turlej © Wrzeszcz Architekci
Ewelina Jankowska, an architect from EV Architects in Poznań, is responsible for the interior design. They are maintained in the climate announced by the facades — raw walls, various shades of gray and combinations of black and wood dominate.
living room
Photo: Tom Kurek © Wrzeszcz Architects
kitchen
photo: Tom Kurek © Wrzeszcz Architekci
The modernity and minimalism of both the body and interiors are contrasted by a garden inscribed in the sculpture of the plot, created thanks to the cooperation of Marzena Bąkowska (Barwy Ogrodów), who takes care of the botanical collection of the Trojanów Arboretum on a daily basis, and Jerzy Kęcel (Agrobud).
compiled by: Ola Kloc
Illustrations courtesy of Wrzeszcz Architekci studio
