Nestled in the mountain village of Dolní Malá Úpa, mar.s architects designed a residence that embraces the spirit of historical Krkonoše Mountain architecture and lifestyle. Positioned on a sloping meadow, the house mirrors the traditional mountain house form, clad in untreated wood that evolves its expression over time. Breaking out from the simplistic form of the house, a prominent steel terrace hovers over the terrain, supported by a pair of splayed legs – a commanding bridge amid a foggy mountain. The interior, adorned with wood and subtle hues, offers a dignified retreat from the mountain storms.
From the Architects | In the exceptional context of the mountain village of Malá Úpa, we designed a house for friends that draws inspiration from historical buildings in the Krkonoše Mountains, utilizing centuries-old knowledge of mountain living and transforming it for contemporary residential needs.
The house is positioned towards the western sloping mountain meadow of the boundary ridge, confirming local customs both in its distance from the road and alignment of the ridge. It echoes the shape of historical mountain houses while incorporating contemporary architectural principles.
The house’s form is simple but notably elongated, set on a substantive plinth clad in local stone. The volume above the stone base is clad in untreated wood, gradually evolving its expression over time, acquiring a silvery-grey hue. As time passes, the white-painted battens covering the seams between the facade planks, increasingly stand out as an accent. This facade ensures longevity even in the conditions of our highest mountains.
In the western part, the main volume of the house is expanded by a veranda inspired by the extensions of historical cottages. The veranda is partially covered with vertical lathing at the facade level, creating a buffer between the interior and exterior, visually reducing the effect of the veranda breaking through. As an accent, a contemporary, fully open steel terrace extends from the veranda, hovering above the surrounding terrain, supported by a pair of splayed legs. During extreme weather conditions, when the surroundings blur, and visibility is minimal, it becomes a commanding bridge in the middle of nothingness.
From the front facade, visitors enter the vestibule and continue further into the house with a natural flow between rooms, where the spacious living area takes precedence. From the ground floor, stairs lead to the basement with home wellness and a sports area, or to the attic, which is purely designated for bedrooms.
The interior concept aligns with the modest character of the house, aiming to create a dignified haven for the family, ensuring everyone feels comfortable even during the harshest mountain storms. The interior prominently features wood complemented by subtle muted colors and carefully chosen craftsmanship and artistic elements.
Photography by BoysPlayNice.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.