The Lesser Polish Eaves Cottage: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Architect Boguslaw Barnas Revives Traditional Polish Architecture with a Modern Twist

The inspiration for this project stemmed from the exploration of regional features characteristic of single-family housing in Poland. The design team discovered the forgotten traditional eaves houses, particularly the wooden structure historic houses located in the market square of Lanckorona. These houses, with their protruding eaves forming arcades, became a defining element in the design of The Lesser Polish Eaves Cottage.

What sets this design apart is its ability to accommodate a four-person family space on an unusually long and narrow plot of irregular shape. Despite the challenges posed by the plot and the restrictions of the Local Area and Development Plan, the design team managed to create a structure that is both interesting and harmoniously integrated with the landscape. The creative use of topography allowed the team to separate as many as five different levels, legally falling within the definition of a two-story building.

The realization of this design involved a blend of traditional and modern materials. The ground floor, modernist and entirely glazed from the south side, was finished with naturally patinating and aging wood, reminiscent of historical eaves houses. The contrasting, expressive form of the attic was finished with modern material, Ruukki Classic roofing sheet, which defines the precise architectural detail.

The design also boasts of innovative technical specifications. Gutters and drainpipes were discreetly hidden in the roof and inside the outer walls. The garage door was finished with façade cladding which perfectly faced the façade of the house. In the open living area, traditional load-bearing pillars were replaced with a steel structure integrated with divisions of window joinery, creating an open space, glazed along the entire length of the south elevation.

The Lesser Polish Eaves Cottage is more than just a modern building. It is a designer house that is durable and timeless, firmly rooted in tradition. As Boguslaw Barnas and his team believe, this is the factor that elevates it to something more than just another modern building. The Lesser Polish Eaves Cottage is a testament to the power of design that respects and revives tradition while embracing innovation.