Located in the heart of the Czech Republic’s Bohemian Forest with sweeping views of Lipno lake, this cabin was designed by Les Archinautes based on buildings traditional to the region, which are by their very nature wooden, compact and cozy.
While the morphology of the house stands on several principles of Bohemian Forest architecture (rectangular floor plan, compact shape, pronounced gable, etc.), the view of the lake, with two major peaks in the background, became the main point of the project. As a result, the living space of the house is centered around the dominant gabled square window facing toward the lake. The other windows have a direct view of the forest.
Bringing the outdoors in, wooden walls in the interior create a pleasant and warm atmosphere. The exposed wood in the interior is painted with hard wax oil with white pigment and a UV filter. This will ensure that the wood retains its fresh color for decades to come while allowing the interior to breathe. The construction is not only cozy but also ecological. This house contains about 50 m3 of wood, which binds 43 tons of CO2. This is the same amount that a car would produce by driving 390,000 kilometers. During construction, more CO2 is sequestered than produced. In addition, the house is 80-90% completely recyclable.
One small room, a bathroom, a laundry room, a small sauna, and a room for storing sports and technical equipment are located on the ground floor. The attic hides a bathroom, a pantry and two bedrooms with a circular window in the gable, framing other peaks in the area.
Three sides of the house are lined by a wooden terrace, which, depending on its variable width, creates, together with a significant overhang of the roof, ample space to relax among nature.
The clients are enthusiastic athletes and whether they are returning from backcountry skiing in winter or from a long trek in summer, they know that a hot sauna, relaxation by the water, and the smell of the surrounding forest are waiting for them at home.
Photography by Petr Polák.
Construction by 3AE.
For more like this lakeside cabin, be sure to check out the spare but thoughtful design of the Lodge Les Murailles.
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