The House Among the Trees, built near Poznań, is a project in which the architecture and interior have been treated as an inseparable whole. The architectural design is the work of Wrzeszcz Architekci, whilst the interior design is by the mode:lina™ team. From the outset, both studios worked on a shared vision: to create a house that does not dominate its surroundings, but rather harnesses their potential and engages with them.
The plot, densely covered with tall pine trees, dictated the approach to the building’s form. Architects Borys and Mariusz Wrzeszcz designed the building so that its form gradually approaches the trees, opening the interiors to natural light and views. From the street, the house appears restrained, almost introverted. The multi-level structure resembles a pavilion, the scale of which only becomes apparent once you step onto the property. The varying heights of the rooms are clearly reflected in the external form – from the three-metre canopy above the entrance, through the seven-metre hall, to the lower, more intimate sections of the kitchen and terrace.
The ground floor serves as the main family living space. The hall, kitchen, dining room, living room, library and guest wing interflow, creating a sequence of interiors of varying scale and character. Three terraces with distinct functions strengthen the connection between the house and the garden, whilst the tall glazing allows the greenery of the pine forest to become an integral part of the residents’ daily lives.
The first floor has been designed as a private zone for a family of five. It houses the parents’ bedroom and the rooms of their three sons, as well as wardrobes and bathrooms maintained in a consistent, monochromatic aesthetic. The basement accommodates the utility area and the garage.
The interiors, designed by the mode:lina™ studio, develop the architectural concept through the consistent use of material contrasts. The central feature of the ground floor is the staircase situated in the high-ceilinged hall. A steel, monolithic balustrade cuts through the space with a bold line, juxtaposed against a raw architectural concrete wall. This pairing of materials creates a strong accent that organises the functional layout and emphasises the scale of the interior.
The austerity of the concrete and black tones is balanced by wooden slats, which appear on the walls and in the built-in units. Their texture adds warmth to the space whilst concealing doors and service elements. In several places, distinctive geometric forms appear – the black cube of the kitchen, the slatted built-in units by the stairs, or the module in the bedroom. These elements organise the space and echo the geometry of the building’s structure.
The kitchen, crafted by Halupczok, was designed with the owners’ passion for cooking in mind. A large island with an additional table is used for everyday meals, whilst the work area houses professional appliances, including a pizza oven. Facing the living room, the kitchen cube opens up with wine fridges, creating a small bar serving the dining area with a table several metres long. A graphic composition of Vibia Wireflow lamps hangs above the table, emphasising the height of this part of the house.
The living room opens onto a private woodland through wide glazed areas. Natural light illuminates the concrete and wooden surfaces, whilst the extensive built-in bookcases house books, albums and family collections. Adjacent to the living room is a study with a workspace, DJ equipment and shelving, where wooden slats improve the acoustics.
The guest area features a cosy gym decorated in darker tones. The master bedroom has been designed in a calmer, more subdued style, with a slatted wall creating a sense of intimacy. The children’s bathrooms are enlivened with touches of red and yellow, giving them an energetic feel.
The materials used throughout the house – concrete, wood, steel and glass – have been selected with durability and timelessness in mind. Some of the walls have been left white to showcase paintings from the owners’ private collection.
The House Among the Trees is an example of consistent collaboration between two studios, which treated the architecture and interior as a single entity. The building harmonises with the landscape, whilst the interiors develop this concept through light, materials and precise detailing. The resulting space meets the needs of a family of five, whilst remaining strongly connected to the surrounding pine trees.
building design: Wrzeszcz Architekci– Borys and Mariusz Wrzeszcz, Maciej Jachowski
interior design: mode:lina™ – Anna Kazecka-Włodarczyk, Jerzy Woźniak, Paweł Garus
Garden design: Krzysztof Janik
exterior photographs: Przemysław Turlej
interior photographs: Patryk Lewiński
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