On a wooded plot near Warsaw, a house has been built that does not dominate the landscape but seems to be part of it. The design by 77Studio Architektury grew out of an observation of the site—or, more precisely, from a single, key discovery: a sunlit clearing hidden amongst tall pine trees. It is this clearing that became the compositional axis of the entire project and the starting point for the architects.
Initially, the site did not reveal its potential. The small plot, with a building slated for demolition, was densely surrounded by trees, giving it a gloomy and lightless feel. It was only after the old structure was removed that the natural arrangement of the trees was revealed, forming a ring around a bright, almost theatrically lit space. The architects immediately recognised its value, which determined the form of the house.
A unique view unfolded before our eyes. Soaring pine trees formed a natural ring around an almost theatrically lit clearing. It was this luminous space that became the starting point for our project,” says Paweł Naduk.
A semi-circular wall with large glazed sections runs along the edge of the clearing. This solution required the use of curved glass and sliding doors that move along an arc, but it allowed us to achieve an effect that could not have been attained by traditional means. The façade has become a panoramic frame opening the interiors onto the forest, whilst also serving as a precise tool for controlling light. The layout of the rooms has been adapted to natural sunlight, so that each part of the house benefits from daylight in a different way. In the dense, pine-filled surroundings, this was of particular importance.
The clearing has also become a garden – a semi-private courtyard surrounded by the wings of the building. During the day, the sun filters through the tree canopy here, and shadows shift across the terrace and façade, creating a changing, subtle scene. After dark, the role of natural light is taken over by a fire pit situated in the centre of the garden. Its glow is reflected in the glazing, introducing warm reflections into the interiors.
The terrace around the fire pit is made of ash planks laid out in a radial pattern. The same motif is repeated in the oak flooring inside, making the boundary between the house and the garden almost imperceptible. This is not a showy effect, but a consistent development of the idea in which architecture and landscape function as a coherent whole.
The building’s form also responds to its surroundings. From the courtyard side, the structure resembles a partially hollowed-out tree trunk – darker and more enclosed on the outside, lighter and open to light on the inside. Fibre-cement panels and graphite sheet metal form a raw, protective shell that contrasts with the bright garden space.
From the front, the house appears more restrained. The façade is clad in hand-moulded brick in a warm, brownish shade. Its texture and colour evoke associations with pine bark, allowing the building to blend naturally into the forest surroundings. In several places, the brickwork forms an openwork layer that filters light and views. Hidden behind one such wall is a loggia – a secluded spot for relaxation, sheltered from the outside world.
The house was designed with the environment in mind. Green roofs improve insulation and increase water retention, whilst the preserved layout of trees and shrubs reinforces the natural character of the plot. The whole is complemented by a building automation system, which enhances comfort and allows for precise energy management. The House with a Glade is a project in which the forest is not merely a backdrop, but an equal partner in the design.
design: 77Studio Architektury
photos: Piotr Krajewski
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