Archicraft designed a serene woodland retreat near Prague in the form of an archetypal wooden cabin that seamlessly blends into its natural setting. The facade mimics the surrounding tall conifers with dark aluminum shingles, evoking the appearance of a pinecone. Large glass windows establish a strong connection between the interior and the outdoors, creating a feeling of spaciousness. Inside, oak dominates, from flooring to furniture, creating a warm atmosphere.
From the Architects | In spring 2020, a refined couple came to our studio with a vision of a modest house that would provide them with a peaceful retreat in nature; an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle of the city where the trees rustle instead of the trams and contact with nature is immediate.
The area they had chosen for their cottage has a unique atmosphere. The local regulations defined the maximum building area and height of the building, limiting the client’s brief. The archetypal form of the cabin was chosen with respect to the built environment and its verticality emphasizes the contrast between the stability of the earth and the freedom of the sky.
There are beautiful tall conifers in the surroundings which fascinated us and whose pattern is reflected in the facade. It is made up of dark aluminium shingles and its shape resembles a pinecone. The aluminium surface of the façade guarantees easy maintenance and durability and fulfills the essential requirement for practicality.
Belonging to nature is supported by the glass sliding surfaces that connect the living area of the interior with the surroundings and also wonderfully expand the feeling of space inside the cottage. The large windows not only bring a beautiful view, but also plenty of light for the owner, who enjoys painting in her cottage.
The brief was to create a space that exudes the coziness and warmth of home. Therefore, oak was used extensively in the interior, specifically for the flooring, fireplace wall, dining table and chairs. The structural CLT spruce panels remained visible in the bedroom and staircase. This natural material brings a warm feeling of home to the interior and saves on tiling costs. CLT panels also have advantages in structural properties – the small structural depth allows for large spans and has a high load-bearing capacity. Their small thickness combined with good thermal insulation leads to a more spacious interior. The construction was completely designed and realized by 3AE, a company specialized in wooden buildings made of solid panels of Czech wood.
The main theme of the cottage is well-being and relaxation and the operational needs had to be subordinated to this. We integrated the kitchen into the living area so that it would act as a natural part of it. Therefore, we placed a bookcase above it, growing into the ceiling, and for the cabinet parts, we chose a unifying oak wood motif with the same profile as the wall by the fireplace. The dining table was naturally incorporated between the kitchen cabinets.
The cottage is a synergy of contemporary design, respect for nature, and practical use of space. Even in a small area, it is possible to create a space for comfort, relaxation, and artistic creation.
Photography by Petr Polák.
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