shelter Scorpio House®

What makes our approach unique is that we have redefined the concept of a shelter. Rather than being an underground structure built solely for times of crisis, a Scorpio House® shelter is both a functional and luxury space that bears little resemblance to the dark bunkers of the past. Instead, it is designed to be enjoyed every day – much like a sports car or a family yacht. Just as the utilitarian transport vessel evolved into a distinct category of luxury product – the yacht – we are elevating the conventional nuclear bunker into a refined architectural space where people can pursue their passions, realize their ambitions, and enjoy everyday life.

The technological components of the Scorpio House® shelter, such as airtight nuclear-resistant doors, are carefully concealed behind veneered wall panels and are closed only in the event of an emergency. As a result, the shelter’s protective infrastructure remains discreet and virtually invisible during everyday use. Working in partnership with specialized engineering companies, we can create underground spaces of virtually any size and function beneath the home. At the same time, these spaces provide NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) protection, ensuring safety in the event of pandemics, natural disasters, or armed conflict.

Our project addresses an important social challenge. Through the Scorpio House® system, we are transforming the emotional perception of this type of architecture by replacing its traditionally negative associations. In a sense, we are redefining the image of the dark wartime bunker, giving shelters a more human, accessible, and everyday dimension. Scorpio House® completely changes the way people think about shelters and even creates a new aspiration to own one. We believe this approach can encourage private investment in protective architecture, significantly strengthening the resilience of our communities in times of crisis—not only during armed conflict, but also in the face of extreme weather events or pandemics. It is worth noting that some countries already provide shelter capacity for virtually all of their citizens, including Switzerland and Finland. Sweden has shelter space for approximately 70% of its population, Norway for around 50%, while Poland, despite its challenging geopolitical location, has capacity for only about 3.8% of its population.

The House with Shelter and Scorpio House® Garden features an underground luxury Scorpio House® shelter developed by BXB Studio. The Scorpio House® space is also an excellent investment, providing protection in the event of pandemics, natural disasters, and war, while a relatively compact and cost-effective shelter can significantly increase the value of a much larger home. As public awareness continues to grow in the coming years, the value and importance of such spaces are expected to increase even further.

The Shelter Zone is located directly beside the glazed rooms adjoining the underground garden, which is set within a specially designed sunken courtyard.

Scorpio Garden House is a versatile solution compatible with every type of residential development, including housing estates, apartment buildings, luxury villas, and compact single-family homes. It creates a natural extension of the living space below ground, providing access to daylight and a private outdoor area where unique gardens and recreational spaces can be arranged. This not only enhances the quality and functionality of the underground living environment but also increases the overall value of the property.

We first began working on a traditional shelter of more than 400 m² in 2014, while designing a large private residence. Over the following years, we observed that many of our clients were hesitant to invest substantial resources in building a shelter that, by its very nature, they hoped would never be needed. This inspired us to redefine the concept of the shelter itself. That is how Scorpio House® was created, drawing on extensive specialist knowledge. The project was developed by the entire BXB Studio team, including our technical, creative, interior design, and management and administration departments. Today, we can confidently say that we are an architectural practice specializing not only in the design of houses and private residences, but also in the design of advanced protective shelters.

At BXB Studio, we decided to focus on the subject of protective shelters, recognizing that it is an area largely overlooked by the architectural profession—not only in Poland, but around the world. We are the architectural practice that developed an entirely new concept of the shelter: Scorpio House®. We have redefined the traditional bunker, transforming it into carefully designed architecture that combines engineering excellence, advanced technology, refined aesthetics, and a clear architectural vision.

The advanced technology of the Scorpio House® shelter is discreetly concealed and remains virtually unnoticeable in everyday use. Scorpio House® interiors are uniquely designed to create welcoming spaces filled with natural light, natural materials, and even greenery.

Through carefully considered architectural design, we create a variety of interior settings tailored to their intended functions, shaping distinct atmospheres for both daytime and nighttime spaces. Rather than imitating exterior windows—as is often the case in this type of facility—we create the impression of natural daylight filtering into the interior through thoughtfully designed screens, timber slats, and ceiling features. In this way, we evoke the changing moods of morning, afternoon, evening, and night. We carefully control both the intensity and color temperature of the lighting, while also designing the acoustics and overall ambience of each Scorpio House® interior to suit its specific purpose.

Another defining feature of our interiors is their flexibility and adaptability. Individual spaces can serve multiple functions, allowing users to quickly and easily reconfigure them to become, for example, a bedroom, wine cellar, social gathering space, or home cinema. Smaller Scorpio House® configurations are designed with exceptional efficiency, offering highly ergonomic layouts optimized through carefully planned interior arrangements and thoughtfully selected furnishings.

Based on a system of standardized modular components, we can create spaces of virtually any size and function, including wine cellars, home cinemas, music rooms, luxury spas, or social gathering areas. At the same time, every Scorpio House® space provides NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) protection, ensuring safety in the event of pandemics, natural disasters, and war.