Wilanów has for years attracted people who want to combine the pace of life in a metropolis with the tranquillity of suburban surroundings. A new development by Exterio Architektura has been created in the midst of the compact single-family buildings there. The Vertical House shows that limited space can become a source of inspiration rather than an obstacle. The architects treated the narrow plot as a starting point for creating a building that unfolds vertically, making full use of every available plane. The Wilanów House is based on the rationality of modernism, but retains the emotional dimension of everyday comfort.
The Wilanów plot that defined the project
The new house stood on the site of an uninteresting building from the 1990s. The architects designed a modern residence that meets both the needs of the modern family and the character of the city. With a floor area of approximately 500 square metres and a height of 12 metres, the block was adapted to the narrow strip of land and its form subordinated to the logic of the site. The building is slightly elevated above street level to separate the entrance from the busy road and naturally create a sense of privacy. It is an intervention that has also become a compositional element – the house has gained a clear perspective and a better connection to its surroundings.
A house in Wilanów subordinated to the rhythm of life
The functional layout of the building is based on a clear vertical division of space. The basement houses the garage and technical rooms, while the ground floor serves as a common living area. An open space connects the kitchen, dining area and living room, creating an interior where the household can meet freely. A glazed wall opens this area to the terrace running to the plot boundary and brings in plenty of light. The two-storey space above the dining room, facing south, reinforces the feeling of spaciousness and integrates the ground floor with the upper floor. The first floor is dedicated to the children, while the top level houses the parents’ bedroom with a private terrace and a view above the roofs of the neighbouring houses. All floors are tied together by a central glass lift shaft, around which a light staircase spirals.
Light and vertical as the leitmotif
The transparent lift shaft is one of the main elements of the interior composition. The open communication riser and the openwork staircase create a dynamic form that allows light to pass freely between floors. The interior changes with the time of day, from the soft light of the morning to the warm reflections of the evening. It is in this dialogue of light, verticality and function that the idea of the Vertical House lies. The compact volume is complemented by a feeling of lightness and openness that gives the space a natural rhythm. The building form retains a modern, modernist character, but its austerity has been softened by the rhythm of the materials. The façade is clad with concrete tiles in two shades – white and graphite – laid vertically and horizontally without joints. The horizontal stripes optically lengthen the volume, while the vertical stripes emphasise its vertical arrangement. The result is a balanced dialogue of order and dynamism.
The arrangement of the windows reflects the function of the rooms. The wide glazing in the living areas opens up onto the garden, while the narrow vertical strip of windows along the staircase accentuates the internal axis of the house. External blinds provide light control and privacy, introducing a calm, elegant character.
A house in Wilanów for a contemporary lifestyle
Beneath the minimalist form are modern solutions. Photovoltaic panels are placed on the roof to support the heating system with a heat pump and gas furnace. The house is equipped with recuperation, air conditioning and an intelligent control system that takes care of comfort and energy efficiency. The design takes into account the possibility of future modifications, both in terms of function and technology. The Vertical House is a response to the challenges of the modern city. It combines the need for contact with the urban infrastructure, the desire for tranquillity and one’s own space. The building’s architecture is based on the rationality of modernism, but retains the emotional dimension of everyday comfort.
The result of Exterio Architecture’s work is a residence that does not need flashy forms to attract attention. Its strength lies in harmony, proportion and sensitivity to context. Amidst the compact and diverse buildings of Wilanów, a house was created that stands out for the maturity of its concept.
Exterio Architecture
The project was designed by Warsaw-based studio Exterio Architektura, founded by architect Marcin Klukowski. The office is involved in comprehensive design, from urban plans to small-scale architecture, and its speciality is individual houses and residences. For more than a decade, Exterio has been carrying out projects all over Poland, creating buildings tailored to the needs of the users. The studio’s philosophy is based on cooperation with the investor and a joint design process that leads to a “tailor-made” architecture. The team combines experience, creativity and attention to detail so that each realisation is unique and refined in every aspect.
Design: Marcin Klukowski, Magdalena Górowska, Martyna Więch – Exterio Architektura
Interior design: Anna Salak
Photography: Yassen Hristov
Read also: single-family house | Modernism | Warsaw | Minimalism | whiteMAD on Instagram
