The House with a private Giewont mountain

The metaphor of rock climbing.

The main concept of the house is meant to be a metaphor of rock climbing. The route, which goes through mountains, forms the surrounding of the house – the entrance path, the garden and above all it’s central part – a layout which results in a splendid vista of Giewont mountain.

The private Giewont route.

Thanks to the well-designed structure of the house we are able to perceive a dynamic and vertiginous path just outside the garage level. On the first floor we have decided to set up the entrance hall and spa with a panoramic view of  the Tatra mountains. The living part is located on the first floor in order to enhance an experience of a tectonic and rough mountain climate outside. The Giewont mountain, presented and seen through the glass wall, becomes therefore an inherent element of the interior which is separated by gable roofs. At this level we have hung  a spectacular footbridge as the final part of the private route, which continues at the viewing platform, located at the highest point.

Traditional construction nestled in Giewont mountain!

The form and shape of the house was clearly inspired by traditional timber housing architecture which has long been popular in the Dolina Kościeliska region and the Dolina Chochołowska region. Both colour and texture echo Tatra`s beautiful landscape: grey, rugged walls and snow capped slopes. In it’s character the house can be seen as a combination of a mountain tourist’s shelter house, embedded in a rocky landscape with a modern interpretation of local architecture. The entire structure seeks to create a type of architecture that is unarguably solid, timeless and rooted in a long tradition. The main facade is formed out of glass windows and doors. Additionally there are openwork wall panels which allow the opening and closing of the house with greater flexibility. The roof is covered with graphite tin. All these elements add a subtle lightness to the structure. Additionally they meet the needs of identifying with the natural surroundings.

This house does not have a separate fence, as the fence is integrated with the outside faces of the house.

We designed the garden in order to achieve an aesthetic coherence with the landscape and many pieces of rock, stones and bushes of creeping pine have been used. Altogether the residents have been given a landscape surrounding that does not require a lot of upkeep. At the same time it perfectly blends in with the idea of taking the Giewont route. The house doesn’t have any kind of enclosing barrier or perimeter fence. We wanted to emphasise the borders of the plot only by adding a timber, openwork construction. The function of a dynamic entrance is given by a mobile, controlled facade on the first floor.