A house has been built on a wooded plot in Warsaw’s Wawer district, which makes exceptional use of the surrounding natural environment. Designed by Anna Pydo and Justyna Szadkowska of the Tatemono studio, the project is guided by the idea of harmonious coexistence with the landscape – through the building’s form, the choice of materials and the design of the interior.
The house’s floor plan is based on a cross-shaped layout, which allowed the structure to be precisely adapted to the existing arrangement of trees. Natural materials – ceramics, timber and Polish stone – create a subdued colour palette that blends in with the surroundings and requires no additional maintenance. The texture of the façade echoes tree bark, giving the impression that the building is organically integrated into the woodland setting.
Architecture shaped by light and energy
On the north side, the house approaches the boundary of the plot, and the number of windows has been limited there for energy efficiency reasons. On the opposite side, it opens widely onto the forest – large glazed areas in the living space blur the boundary between the interior and nature. Some windows are two storeys high, allowing light filtered through the tree canopy to reach deep inside and create a changing, soft atmosphere. The view of the forest becomes a fully-fledged element of the architecture here.
Functional layout
A single-flight staircase has been designed at the centre of the house; whilst minimising the need for circulation, it connects the living area on the ground floor with the private quarters on the first floor. The layout of the rooms is based on the principle of optimal use of space – each room has a clearly defined function and makes use of natural light in accordance with the directions of the compass.
An interior rooted in nature
The kitchen and built-in furniture are finished with oak veneer, which brings warmth and elegant simplicity to the interior. Stone worktops and flooring made of Polish marble – Morawica – emphasise the authentic, natural character of the house. Some of the furnishings are second-hand, whilst the remaining elements were crafted by Polish manufacturers, reinforcing the project’s local, sustainable ethos.
The resulting space is comfortable, harmonious and encourages daily interaction with nature. The house does not dominate its woodland surroundings – it blends into them, allowing light, greenery and the textures of the materials to contribute to the atmosphere of the place. It is architecture that matures alongside the landscape and remains in constant dialogue with it.
design: Tatemono – Anna Pydo,Justyna Szadkowska
photographs: Maria Miklaszewska
See also: Detached house | Warsaw | Modernism | Recommended | whiteMAD on Instagram
