HOUSE S
Minimum built-up area, maximum area for living. This was the basic starting point for the design of a two-story family house in a gardening area not far from the forest. The young couple decided to leave the city to the edge of the forest, which was partly forced by the economic situation when buying the land. The plot in the gardening colony is narrow and steep, with the original cabin at the top of the plot. For this reason, we located the new family house in a lower position, near the access forest road. By slightly leveling the land, we achieved a sufficient area necessary for the location of the building. We used the regulation of the maximum built-up area of 40 square meters and proposed two above-ground floors to the maximize 80 square meters in total. We minimized corridors and service areas and thus created a maximally functional three-room house. The living room on the lower floor opens to the outside under the pergola in the summer and thus doubles its area.
The two-floor ‘garden cabin’ house is enclosed within a simple cuboid geometry with a flat roof. While it will primarily serve its recreational function, it can be in use all-year-round. The plot is situated in a predominantly garden area, however, nowadays, it is mostly surrounded by family residences with garden cabins. The design concept was driven by the surrounding landscape, which it reacts to in its orientation on the plot and the suitable volume.
It mimics the formal building principles of its context as a timber construction with a prominent wooden façade cladding. The main entrance is East-oriented, accessed from the terrasse. The house combines two rectangular floors of the same area, which reflect the needs and preferences of the client. The ground level provides a simple open plan layout with a day zone from which the first-floor with two rooms and a bathroom can be accessed.
The garden cabin will be connected to the local electricity grid. Purified water is provided from an on-site well. Wastewater will be collected in a drain sump and rainwater in an absorbing well. The heating system is provided by the underfloor heating mats placed in the concrete screed layer.
The house was built partly by oneself, slowly, with attention to detail.
Tanned facade
The well, root cleaner
Minimum area necessary for living, minimum costs.
