On a slope where the woods part to reveal a panorama of the Javorníky Mountains, stands a house that is an example of modern architecture in a mountain setting. Its design was prepared by architects from the SENAA architekti studio – Václav Navrátil and Jan Sedláček. The result of their work is a modern mountain chalet with a simple form and traditional roof shape.
The log structure with a saddle roof fits harmoniously into the sloping terrain. On the east side, the house retains the archetype of the cottage: small box windows, pronounced eaves and a steep slope, without dormers or skylights, give the façade a restrained rhythm. The west is a counterbalance – large glazings open up the interiors to the valleys, framing views of nature.
The location in the south-east corner of the plot organises the functions and protects the entrance area from wind and rain. The threshold does not lead to a classic vestibule, but straight into the living space – a free, open plan that ties together the living room, dining room and kitchen. The panoramic windows intensify the contact with the landscape, and the wide passage to the western terrace extends the life of the home towards the outside. A study, bathroom and separate toilet complete the ground floor programme.
Thoughtful interior layout
The private area is designed in the attic. It features a bedroom with a dressing room and balcony – a private viewpoint – additionally lit by a gable window. A second room and a bathroom are located next to it.
From the entrance level, there is a descent to the ground floor. This floor, which is completely sunken into the slope, houses the wellness area with sauna, technical facilities and ample storage space. Thanks to the difference in terrain, the leisure area benefits from natural light penetrating from under the terrace, while remaining discreetly hidden from view. The multitude of rooms explains the considerable surface area of the house, which is 160 square metres.
Rapid construction of the house
The house is made in timber construction with prefabricated sandwich panels, manufactured in the valley and assembled on site in one day. The foundation is a reinforced concrete slab; the walls of the basement were created from lost formwork, covered by a monolithic ceiling, while the above-ground part is entirely a lightweight precision timber structure. This set of solutions reduced construction time, limited interference with the site and ensured high quality.
The building meets low-energy standards: it benefits from passive solar gains and is heated exclusively with a heat pump supplying underfloor heating. In winter, the low sun reheats the interiors, while in summer – thanks to the heavily overhanging eaves and the appropriate roof geometry – it has been possible to eliminate overheating without having to install air conditioning. Comfort, therefore, is not the result of excessive installation, but of correct orientation, well thought-out geometry and conscious material work.
The architecture of this house does not attempt to dominate the site. Rather, it respects the surroundings, combining climate, exposure, slope of the site and the real needs of the users. Traditional architectural elements have been translated into a contemporary language that is all about light, continuity of space and economy of means. The result is a modern house in the mountains that lives in the rhythm of the landscape: contemporary in standard, natural in expression, rooted in place as if it had always been part of the mountains.
photos: BoysPlayNice
design: SENAA architekti
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