Szeroki Bór is a unique, picturesque village situated in the heart of the Pisz Forest, by the Jaśkowo Lake. Due to its charming location, surrounding national forests and few private plots of land, the place has retained its original character, typical of Masurian settlements. It is here that the house in Szeroki Bór was created, which is a successful combination of modernist solutions with traditional Masurian architectural elements.
The house was designed on a large plot of 0.7 hectares, situated in the valley of a small river marking the western boundary of the property. Surrounded mainly by older, rural buildings, the plot offers not only a unique view, but also a large difference in level, as much as 6.5 m. The Local Development Plan allowed for development along the village road, which created specific requirements, but also allowed the house to be designed with a unique character.
The house before reconstruction
There was a former residential building on the plot, but its size and location (just 1.5 metres from the village road) proved impractical for the needs of the developer, a lover of modern interiors and modernist architecture. It was therefore decided to keep the existing building, converting it into functional outbuildings, while the new building was planned between 8 and 18 metres from the road, in line with local requirements.
The new house was designed to fit in harmoniously with the character of the Broad Forest. The front elevation, facing the road, was designed in a traditional style to match the local architecture. The west, garden elevation, on the other hand, is almost entirely glazed, allowing the house to blend naturally with the landscape and offer spectacular views of the surrounding valley and woodland. Extensive terraces are planned along this elevation, allowing for comfortable relaxation close to nature.
After examining a number of options, it was decided to use solid brick as the main facade material for the main body, while the existing outbuilding was retained in a rendered version. The roof was covered with the characteristic Dutch tile, which further emphasises the local style. Such solutions ensure both aesthetics and durability.
The main body of the house is spacious, with main roof purlins spanning up to 12 metres, which was achieved through the use of glulam. All the windows are also made of wood, including the impressive 12-metre-long and 3-metre-high HS window, which is one of the largest wooden windows in Poland. The investor, a fan of modern, bright interiors, thus achieved the effect of a space full of light and openness.
In the living room, which is open to the attic, the central element is a 6-metre high cooker, which gives the interior character and cosiness. The house was designed as a zero-energy building, which was achieved thanks to modern technologies. Heating is provided by a ground-source heat pump and electricity by large-scale photovoltaic panels. These solutions make the house not only comfortable, but also ecological and energy-efficient.
The house in Szeroki Bór is a harmonious combination of modern functionality and Masurian architectural tradition. Thanks to carefully selected materials and a well-thought-out design concept, the building blends perfectly into the rural landscape while offering a space with a contemporary character.
Project: Polska Drewniana, arch. Piotr Olszak
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