Located in Poland's scenic Kashubian Valley, Beech Valley by ArchMondo (Piotr Kowalczyk) is a small-scale complex of four vacation houses distinguished by a simple yet striking architecture and an approach to common space that is conducive to neighborly interactions and relations.
The site, surrounded by picturesque beech forests and close to Grabówko Lake, offers direct proximity to those looking to be in nature and undertake activities ranging from fishing, swimming, and kayaking to hiking in the forests and hills.
Modestly scaled and positioned in harmony with the landscape, the vacation homes are grouped in a composition resembling a small village or farm homestead. Each plot measures 500 square meters, providing ample outdoor area for the dwellings. The volumes are carefully positioned to offer privacy and tranquility, with private transition zones for rest and relaxation created by covered terraces that emphasize the form of the architecture. Meanwhile, large, southern terrace windows allow for full use of natural lighting and ensure the bright interiors by Marzena Pionk are well connected with the exterior.
Each vacation home is a mere 86 square meters in floor area, with rooms designed to be used efficiently. Living areas are designated to the ground floor and extend outward to the covered terraces, a strategy that gives an expanded sense of living space. Three bedrooms and a full bathroom are located on the upper level. The simple floor plan is rotated on-site to take the best advantage of each plot's orientation. The resulting massing of the volumes creates a dynamic appearing ensemble and an overall sense of harmony and unity.
The light-grey colours of the façade and gable roofs and the gables of the house are finished with a spruce board, which presents a natural character. At the same time, the contrast between the metal/stucco materials and natural wood articulates the elegantly reduced and modern forms.
