House in the Landscape by Kropka Studio

Polish architecture practice Kropka Studio has designed this private residence for a small family on the outskirts of the city of Zawiercie, Poland, referencing local architecture and materials.

The property is situated on the edge of ‘Eagles’ Nests’ natural landscape park, also called the Polish Jura because of its similarity to the Jura Mountains in Switzerland. Surrounded by farmland and hills capped with ancient castle ruins, the house attempts to blend into the picturesque landscape, featuring simple volumes and a cladding of gabions filled with local limestone. The main living volume is connected to the garage by a small courtyard covered with a wooden openwork structure, while the roof is covered with graphite-coloured titanium zinc. Inside, the main double-height living area steals the show, with its uplifting gabled roof and furniture by Polish furniture workshop 5mm.studio. Behind the kitchen area on the ground floor is the master bedroom, while a staircase leads up to an additional two bedrooms with their own bathroom. The house was completed in 2013, and was awarded the Silesian Architecture of the Year Award that same year. Kropka Studio was founded in 2009 by Małgorzatę Łapaj, and is based in the cities of Krakow and Zawiercie.