Set within the tightly regulated landscape of the Krkonoše Mountains, the chalet Na Kukačkách explores how contemporary living can emerge from a traditional alpine envelope. Designed by edit! architects, the house preserves the familiar language of stone plinths, timber cladding, and gabled form, while rethinking the interior as a bright, vertically connected living space oriented toward the surrounding landscape.
While the exterior respects the traditional character of mountain buildings with a stone plinth and timber cladding, the project introduces a completely new spatial and functional arrangement of the interior.
From the outset, the architects aimed to overcome a typical issue seen in buildings within the national park: whereas the exterior must follow traditional forms, the quality and functionality of interior layouts are often neglected, resulting in dark and cramped spaces.
In the case of Na Kukačkách, the external volume, gable shape, and material palette are defined by local regulations. The project nonetheless shows that it is possible to respect regional typology while meeting contemporary demands for a bright interior with a direct connection to the surrounding landscape.
“While both gables had to remain strictly traditional, the side façades gave us room to introduce modern architectural elements. This allowed us to implement large-format glazing in the main living area and at the summer entrance, maximising views into the surrounding countryside. Visual contact with nature is essential and significantly enhances the overall experience of staying in the mountains,” explains Juraj Calaj of edit! architects.
Increasing the size of the gable windows was not possible, as it would disrupt their proportions and result in a visually inconsistent expression. In addition to the large glazed areas, edit! architects therefore applied the principle of vertical spatial connection. This created a gallery overlooking the living space and allowed the ground floor to open all the way up to the roof structure. The solution brings daylight from multiple directions and evokes an airy, bright interior.
The realisation of the project was logistically demanding. The steep terrain and short construction season required fast, efficient progress. Prefabricated CLT panels proved ideal, as they can be assembled on the reinforced-concrete plinth within a few weeks. They offer structural rigidity comparable to concrete while allowing expansive openings and generous spatial continuity that conventional structures often cannot achieve. Panels from 3AE were delivered in exposed quality, meaning their timber surfaces serve as the final interior finish without additional cladding.
“Another key factor in the project’s success was the collaboration with the local contractor Registav. Their detailed knowledge of the demanding mountain conditions allowed us to precisely plan the installation of the prefabricated CLT panels and minimise the risk of weather-related interruptions,” adds Calaj.
The architects delivered the project under a Design & Build approach, with design and construction closely coordinated to ensure the architectural concept was accurately executed and details carefully carried out.
Na Kukačkách becomes an example of how high-quality contemporary architecture can be achieved even in a strictly regulated environment, resulting in a functional, refined, and comfortable home in the Czech mountains.
Photography by BoysPlayNice.
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