Semi opened house | Gornik Architects

The idea of the project was to create still harsh unchangeable monolith, referring to rocks scattered in the region, which is constantly being complemented by the surrounding nature. 

Semi Opened House is closed from the front and opens to the private forest. The roof is a green terrace, from which you can admire tree tops. The building frames greenery and surroundings so that the dream images can be viewed from every perspective. 
The pictures around the house change in the rhythm of seasons and weather. The interiors adopt nature decorations through spacious windows and transform seasonally. 

Our task was to combine concrete technology, which is not an ecological method of building with solutions that balance the whole project. The goal we set ourselves was to create a kind of hybrid, supplemented with nature-friendly solutions to make investors aware that such practices are architectural future. 

When designing a big challenge was the context of the place, large plot but mostly forested, the investment fully had to be located on a small glade so as not to cut the trees of the local forest. Another important aspect was the combination of concrete technology with ecology. We decided to develop such a functional system that will give lightness to the shape of the building itself, dismembers the terraces and introduce elements of nature to the center of the house. Thus, we used the raw form and its strength under green terraces, both between the building, in its middle and on the roof. The building gained a new meaning in the ecosystem. Green living terraces became the leitmotif of the project.

Minimalistic form of the building becomes balanced by the green roof and terraces, which are more than just extra elements added to make house more attractive. This is indeed our vision of a potential new order in architecture where the house becomes the centre of influencing the climate and Biodiversity change – building as a new biotope “asylum”, a living library of animal plant genes and microorganisms. The building starts to be an ecosystem of the future.

The building has been functionally divided into several zones complementary to each other. Residential zones, dirty, wet zones and rest zones were designated. The living room with high ceiling and lighting in the roof allowed to put a large tree in the interior of the house. Designed rooms are divided into bedroom area, living area with dining room and kitchen, dirty garage part and sports zone. Entrance to the house is located from the street side, the front elevation was broken inside indicating in a symbolic way its place. The house is similar to a broken rock, in the interior where, like in a cave, you can hide from the storm.

The building's construction frame has appointed additional rooms outside. Green frames of the garden complement the raw architecture, allowing for a little reflection and meditation. Structural divisions, internal patios, green courtyards and terraces among the tops of the trees give the opportunity to rediscover the house.