On the shores of Zegrze Reservoir stands Dom Elementarny – a detached house designed as a peaceful, intimate space close to nature. It is a contemporary take on the idea of a holiday home, where everyday life intertwines with the residents’ passions. The architecture has been tailored to simple activities: cooking, reading, sewing and tending the garden. Each of these elements has become part of a concept in which life is defined by light, views and the changing times of day.
The building’s form is constructed from three basic shapes: the triangle, the circle and the square. This deliberate choice has given the architecture clarity and lightness, evoking associations with a simple childhood toy. The striking detail of the eaves’ sharp edge and the symmetrical roof reinforce the graphic character of the silhouette. The axial symmetry of the composition is emphasised by two shorter façades with large, round windows set in the gable walls – an element that defines both the building’s external appearance and the way views are framed within the interior.
Monolithic form
The house’s outer ‘skin’ is made of grey brick, colour-matched to the roof. As a result, the structure is perceived as a uniform, monolithic form, whose coolness is balanced by wooden accents. The most significant of these is the western façade – where the brick mass rises, revealing a wooden veranda. This is a contemporary nod to traditional summer cottages, a semi-open space serving as a natural extension of the living area. The glazed bay window houses the kitchen and a workbench, which serves as a workspace and a place for the owners to pursue their daily passions.
Light and view
The house’s layout is based on two main viewing axes: north–south and east–west. From the moment you enter, your gaze is drawn towards the garden thanks to the large glazing in the living room. The central part of the house is a two-storey living area comprising the living room and dining room. The high interior is illuminated by elongated roof skylights, which change the atmosphere of the house as the sun moves. An additional opening in the ceiling above the stairs enhances the sense of space and creates a visual connection between the storeys.
Large round windows on both sides of the house not only define the façades but also frame views of the surrounding landscape within the interior. Thanks to them, the space is in constant dialogue with nature – changing with the time of day, the weather and the season.
A distinctive space
The Elementarny House combines simplicity of form with the warmth of everyday life. Here, contemporary architecture meets the atmosphere of a holiday retreat, creating a space that is both distinctive and intimate. It is a home that offers peace, closeness to nature and comfort resulting from well-thought-out solutions. On the shores of Zegrze Reservoir, a place has been created that allows residents to live in harmony with their own daily rhythm, surrounded by light, greenery and simple, everyday pleasures.
design: YUMI Architekci (Marta Szadokierska, Dorota Wilczyńska)
photography: Piotr Krajewski
Read also: Detached house | Facade | Minimalism | Brick | whiteMAD on Instagram
