The terrace is turning into a living room, the garden into a dining room, and the swimming pool is increasingly making way for a home spa – the design of outdoor spaces in premium residences is currently undergoing a real transformation. Architect Anna Lorenz, co-owner of the Kraków-based firm MOKAA, demonstrates how to design a home as a single, cohesive experience in which the interior and exterior constantly blend into one another.
The garden as a second living space
In MOKAA’s comprehensive projects, architecture, interiors and landscaping are designed in parallel, as a single process. This changes the way we think about a home. The starting point is no longer the ground-floor plan, but the plot itself: its topography, views and orientation. As a result, the space around the house ceases to be an afterthought and becomes an integral part of the architecture, featuring covered terraces, lighting that sets the evening mood, and areas that were once limited to a table and chairs. Today, they create a complete experience of connection with nature.
“We focus on covered spaces so that rain does not prevent them from being used. In the past, people would simply place a table and chairs outside, but today these are fully-fledged spaces with an outdoor kitchen and a lounge area with comfortable seating. Lighting is also of great importance, as it allows these spaces to be used comfortably and creates an evening atmosphere,” says architect Anna Lorenz.
A view instead of a TV
At Forrest View House, the panoramic glazing faces directly towards Michałowicki Forest – from ground floor level, the landscape acts like a framed painting, changing with the seasons. A similar approach has been taken at Inside Out Villa, where the terrace off the master bedroom opens up to full-height glazing, and a staircase leads to the roof with a view of the Kościuszko Mound. At City Break House, sliding glass panels connect the kitchen to the terrace, merging the interior and the garden into a single space in summer.
Forrest View House:
“We wanted a seamless transition between rooms to avoid creating dead ends – glazing and terraces are a natural continuation of the flow. Even if the stairs lead up to the roof, we design them to be comfortable, with an attractive balustrade and well-proportioned steps. Large glazed areas are nothing to be afraid of – thermal performance is so good these days that the difference compared to a solid wall is practically imperceptible,” adds architect Anna Lorenz.
A swimming pool, spa and open-air kitchen
At Inside Out Villa, the swimming pool has been designed so that its surface appears to ‘flow’ under the building. It is a compositional element that is extremely striking, yet it is also consistent with the overall design, in which the interiors and surroundings intertwine. Next to it are a relaxation area, a space for shared meals and an intimate bar area – the host’s domain.
“Investors’ awareness before construction begins is crucial today – they know what they’re up against when deciding on a swimming pool in Polish conditions. You have to factor in the heating costs or accept that once the water is drained, you’re left with an empty basin. More and more people see this as a bit of a hassle, which is why swimming pools are increasingly being replaced by hot tubs and outdoor spa areas,” notes architect Anna Lorenz.
Inside Out Villa:
At City Break House, the glazing and terrace have been positioned so that light enters the interior when it is needed. Not in the harshest midday sun. This is a common mistake: developers orient large glazed areas directly south, hoping for plenty of light, only to find themselves struggling with an excess of it in the middle of the day during summer. At Forrest View House, the role of relaxation has been taken over by a home spa – complete with a jacuzzi and a salt cave – from which you can step directly onto the terrace.
Focus: nature
Increasingly, in MOKAA’s designs, cooking and dining are moving almost entirely outdoors – the outdoor kitchen and dining area become the equivalent of a living room with a kitchenette, only under the open sky. The approach to greenery is also changing: the practice is moving away from non-native species in favour of local plants, selected to suit the character of the plot – whether woodland, suburban or urban. Making the most of even a small plot, with its alleys, paths and areas for growing fruit and vegetables, means that contact with nature becomes an integral part of everyday life, rather than merely an addition to it.
The building, the interior and the garden cease to be separate stages of the project. They become a single experience, designed with the same care from the first sketch to the very last detail. This is an approach in which the luxury of being in a space perfectly tailored to one’s needs does not end at the doorstep, but continues outside as well.
designs: MOKAA
photographs: Inside Out Villa – Tom Kurek, Forrest View House – Dominika Wilk, City Break House – Maja Bułkowska Photography
source: press materials
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City Break House:
