This holiday home near Bratislava, designed by Martin Mikovčák and Viktor Mikovčák, is an example of architecture that, on a small scale, can provide comfort amidst nature. With a building footprint of just 20 square metres and a usable area of 15 square metres, a holiday home has been created that can be used all year round. The building is also energy self-sufficient.
The holiday home was built on the edge of the Zlatý Roh vineyards, giving it a unique setting. From the elevated plot, there is a sweeping view of the vineyards and mountains, with the silhouette of Devín Castle looming in the background. The architects treated this panorama as their main point of reference, creating a refuge that offers protection in all conditions whilst remaining in direct contact with its surroundings.
Opening up to the landscape
The building responds to its surroundings through openness. Two façades are fitted with retractable terraces which, when extended, reveal sliding glass walls. Integrated sunshades protect the front façade from excessive sunlight. Daily life unfolds in the transitional zone between the interior and the terraces. When these are extended, the living space merges seamlessly with the outdoors, which visually and functionally increases the usable area. Here, the interior is not a separate compartment, but part of a larger layout in which boundaries blur depending on the time of day and the weather.
An interior designed for function
Behind the main living area is a compact kitchenette, followed by a bathroom with a shower. The concrete washbasin, made to order and set within a window frame, draws the eye towards the forest. This is a deliberate design choice that transforms a morning shower into a spa session with a view of nature.
After dark, the space takes on a different character. A lamp hangs from the mezzanine; its cord can be pulled to illuminate the sleeping area, which remains hidden during the day. The absence of fixed stairs means the upper level remains almost invisible, and the retractable ladder, integrated into the built-in furniture, appears only when needed. The mezzanine offers an atmosphere different from that of the ground floor: instead of glazing, it is surrounded by a solid roof structure, and the only opening is a skylight allowing one to observe the night sky.
All year round
The cottage operates off the grid, which required the creation of a system capable of functioning in winter without compromising comfort. The energy concept combines photovoltaic panels, energy storage and a gas-powered emergency system. Hybrid appliances automatically switch from electricity to gas when the battery level drops below a certain threshold. Electricity is then directed to lighting and small appliances, whilst processes requiring more power (heating or cooling) adapt to the available resources.
Domestic water is stored in a concealed tank beneath the raised floor, next to a separate waste water tank. Protection against overheating is provided by smart shutters and controlled ventilation. In summer, the system draws in cooler air from beneath the northern part of the floor and expels the heated air via a heat recovery unit located beneath the skylight. In winter, the process works in both directions, whilst CO₂ and humidity sensors ensure that optimal conditions are maintained inside.
Compact architecture
The Mikovčák design is architecture that offers maximum spatial intensity within a minimal volume. Every element (from the way the façade opens to the hidden functions of the mezzanine) has been subordinated to the idea of full integration with the landscape and independence from infrastructure. This is not just a holiday home, but a precisely designed micro-space in which technology and nature coexist in harmony.
design: Ark-Shelter, Archekta
photos: BoysPlayNice
Read also: Slovakia | Holiday home | Minimalism | Modernism | whiteMAD on Instagram
