House In Jastrzębia Góra / ArchMondo

Architects: ArchMondo
Area: 213.08 m²
Photography: Jakub Certowicz
Design Team: Piotr Kowalczyk, Karolina Kotowska-Kusiak
Materials: Spruce, concrete, metal, granite
Location: Jastrzębia Góra
Country: Poland

The House in Jastrzębia Góra is a single-family residence situated near the Baltic coastline, where the surrounding forest and sea climate substantially influenced its architectural character. The project centers on a low, linear composition consisting of two volumes that form a protected courtyard, giving the home a sense of seclusion despite its open relationship with the landscape. Full-height glazing draws natural light deep into the interior and extends sightlines outward, while a measured use of natural materials reflects the tones and textures of the coastal environment. Inside, the plan organizes shared and private functions across two wings, establishing a balance between communal gathering and individual retreat. The home relies on simple geometry and a restrained palette to achieve a calm spatial quality that aligns with the clients’ desire for a functional and sincere living environment. Through this approach, the architecture underscores how thoughtful form and material cohesion can support an atmosphere of ease and longevity.

My design philosophy revolves around simplicity, logic, and the seamless integration of architecture into its surroundings. I believe a building should feel like it belongs to its environment – either built or natural, serving its purpose while complementing its context.
Interview with Piotr Kowalczyk of ARCHMONDO

Rather than beginning with a formal gesture, the house approaches its setting by observing how the forest edge, prevailing light, and proximity to the sea define daily experience. This perspective allowed ArchMondo to shape a residence that favors clarity over spectacle, resulting in a composition that reads as both familiar and carefully calibrated. The two elongated volumes form a quiet presence in the landscape, their L-shaped arrangement enclosing a courtyard that becomes the project’s central outdoor room. A discreet connector completes the plan while concealing the entrance, heightening the sense of transition from the surrounding village to the sheltered interior world.

A contemporary interpretation of the barn typology guides the exterior character. Vertically laid spruce cladding introduces a natural rhythm to the façades and is designed to weather gently, while the light grey metal roof relates to the subdued horizon of the Baltic coast. The surfaces work together to settle the building into its context, allowing the structure to evolve with changes in climate and light.

The orientation of each wing follows the path of the sun, with living and sleeping areas opening south and west through expansive glazing. Large windows and sliding doors establish direct access to the courtyard from every principal room, creating a constant exchange between interior spaces and the surrounding greenery. A slim overhang draws a continuous line along the façade, tempering sunlight and refining the building’s silhouette.

Interior spaces are organized to support daily family life with simplicity and openness. The main living area combines kitchen, dining and lounge functions under an open ceiling, producing a bright, unified room that serves as the home’s social center. In the second wing, children’s rooms incorporate small mezzanine levels tucked beneath the roof, transforming compact footprints into layered, adaptable environments. The primary bedroom also benefits from an open-ceiling configuration, enhancing the sense of air and light.

Material choices reinforce the project’s calm atmosphere. Spruce, concrete, metal and granite form a palette that resonates with the coastal setting, maintaining continuity between inside and out. The understated interiors rely on muted tones that echo local textures, enabling the architecture to remain grounded in its environment throughout the seasons.

Every element, from roof geometry to window placement, adheres to a clear functional rationale while avoiding excess. The intersection of the two volumes creates a nuanced balance of openness and intimacy, providing spaces for gathering as well as quiet retreat. Through this restrained but thoughtful approach, House in Jastrzębia Góra demonstrates how modest architecture can achieve depth and resonance when guided by context and lived experience.