Brick, dark wood, graphite-coloured details and a striking roof create an architectural style that draws on Northern European influences, whilst interpreting them in a contemporary and family-friendly way. The BX3 house, designed by Exterio Architektura, was conceived in response to the need for a comfortable, prestigious yet unpretentious suburban villa. It is a design whose strength lies in its optimal proportions, materials and ability to organise everyday life.
From the European tradition
BX3 (Barn, Brick, Black) belongs to the ‘contemporary barn’ style , popular in Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. The inspiration drawn from the archetype of the barn has not been treated literally here. The architects have translated it into the language of a modern villa, creating a serene, two-storey structure with clear geometry. The most distinctive feature remains the brick façade – natural, slightly irregular, softening the simple form and lending it a sense of refinement. It is paired with dark timber, graphite-coloured joinery and a striking roof, giving the whole structure an elegance typical of Northern European residential architecture.
The house’s form draws on the archetype of a building with a steep roof, yet the offset ridge and asymmetrical roof slopes lend it a distinctive character. These design choices stem from the height requirements of the individual rooms. Large glazed areas, carefully considered room divisions and a consistent attention to detail emphasise the contemporary nature of the design.
Tailored to your needs
The ground floor houses the communal living area: a large living space, a lounge with a kitchenette, a study, a walk-in wardrobe and a utility room. The focal point is the spacious living area, designed with family routines in mind – morning breakfast, afternoon relaxation, conversations by the fireplace and gatherings with friends. Large glazed areas lend the ground floor a sense of lightness, whilst the terrace naturally extends the living room out towards the garden.
A distinctive feature of the kitchen is the corner window above the worktop, which lets in soft light and breaks up the technical character of the fitted units. The relationship with the surroundings has been designed here to provide the everyday comfort of interacting with space and greenery. On the front façade, fewer glazed areas and a lower canopy have been used, ensuring greater privacy for the residents. From the garden side, the interiors open up to a view of a private section of woodland.
Private area
On the first floor, there is a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe, three further bedrooms, an additional walk-in wardrobe and a large family bathroom. The layout caters to the needs of a family of several people, striking a balance between communal living and the privacy of the household members. The architectural design organises everyday life. It provides space for shared moments without compromising on intimacy. It allows residents to work, relax, entertain guests and establish family traditions without feeling that life has to conform to the building. Here, the architecture has been tailored to the residents.
A graphic counterpoint
An integral part of the design is the black carport with a screen of vertical slats. Its linear, minimalist form provides a counterpoint to the brick structure of the house. The dark colour brings order to the composition, whilst the slatted screen filters the view and lends the entrance area a more private character. The carport introduces an additional architectural layer, ensuring that the whole remains cohesive in terms of both materials and appearance.
The BX3 house is part of a wider trend in contemporary premium architecture, where restraint is becoming increasingly important. Today’s clients are seeking not only generous floor areas and striking façades, but above all a high quality of life: a well-thought-out functional layout, durable materials, the comfort of working from home, private areas for children and parents, and a space that will remain relevant even a dozen or so years from now.
In Exterio Architektura’s design, modernity does not equate to coldness, and elegance does not require ornamentation. Brick, timber, graphite-coloured details and the classic proportions of the roof come together to create a home that can be seen as a contemporary family residence inspired by the finest traditions of European architecture – mature, serene and attuned to the everyday needs of its inhabitants.
design: Exterio Architektura
team: Marcin Klukowski, Janusz Drąg
photographs: Yassen Hristov
See also: Detached house | Brick | Minimalism | Façade | whiteMAD on Instagram
