House by the pasture
The building is located amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Greater Poland Lake District, surrounded by hills filled with meadows, pastures, and forests. The area is rich in beautiful views, naturally encouraging relaxation and enjoyment of the local scenery. On the site stood a small Brda-type house, the first home of the Investors in their "adult" lives, which, in the spirit of re-use, was not destroyed but given to another young couple for use on their property. The house was created as a place for relaxation, designed to provide the Investors with the opportunity to peacefully enjoy the charms of the surrounding nature, serving as a retreat and a response to the needs of those seeking a moment of respite and tranquility.
Thanks to the village's surroundings of hills, the plot features wide scenic openings. The topography of the land is characterized by significant undulation, which provides a range of design possibilities and is reflected in the building's form. The structure integrates with the existing greenery, which has been planted by the Investors over the past several years and has been growing on the plot. On the eastern side, the building borders extensive pastures, fields, and meadows, which inspired the organization of the interior and the building's shape. The living room and mezzanine are equipped with large windows to maximize the connection with the surrounding environment.
The shape of the house results from the combination of the volume of the efficient ground floor interior and the mezzanine located on the upper floor, from which one can view the nearby grazing sheep. The morning sun, natural landscape, and life at a slower pace—all of this offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. The ground floor is set at two levels to adapt the building’s heights to the adjacent terrain. The entrance is designed from the north, positioned in the driveway area of the plot. A distinctive feature is the elevation of a section of the building to two stories, creating a recognizable part of the structure visible from afar. Thanks to its shape, it rises above the trees, blending with nature.
The construction is designed using lightweight wooden frame technology. The exterior cladding consists of a simple and readily available material—trapezoidal sheet metal. The dark color of the façade provides a backdrop for the greenery, and the chosen material aims to create a vertical articulation, resembling the trunks of the coniferous trees nearby. The trapezoidal sheet metal produces a varying light and shadow effect depending on the time of day and year. The "House by the Pasture" features characteristic glazing, with larger “landscape” windows located in the mezzanine and at the corner of the house, exposing the surrounding greenery, as well as smaller “technical” windows that frame the environment in a specific way.
On the ground floor, there is a living area, a guest bedroom, and a bathroom. The mezzanine houses the main bedroom. During construction, the classic bed was replaced with a simple mattress, as the room is also intended for yoga and contemplation. The design also includes storage spaces for gardening equipment, bicycles, etc. A room has been provided where the height allows for the storage of SUP boards, enabling enjoyment of the nearby lakes.
The interior of the house is bright, with added contrasting elements. Plywood from deciduous trees dominates the interiors, paired with expansive white wall and ceiling surfaces. These surfaces illuminate the rooms by reflecting the natural light that fills the house. The majority of the building maintains a subdued color palette, while a distinctive color is reflected in the kitchen furniture, lighting, and the balustrade on the mezzanine made of perforated metal. Trapezoidal sheet metal has also been introduced in places inside the house, representing the building’s outer “skin.” Completing the house is a fireplace that fits the atmosphere of the living area, serving not only as decoration but also as a source of warmth for cooler evenings.
