Archello Awards 2025: Open for Entries! Submit your best projects now.
Archello Awards 2025: Open for Entries!
Submit your best projects now.

Edge house

Applied products
View all applied products

The plan of a single-family house localized nearby the centre of Cracow.

photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski
photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski

8 meters high limestone crag, the remainder of an old stone pit, creates the character of the parcel, which is additionally emphasized by a very interesting panoramic view on the hills surrounding the city. The parcel consists of three levels: the level of green terraces created by means of the building’s project, the arms which create it, parcel where the building’s ground floor is located and parcel below the scarp, where the rest of the garden is.

photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski
photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski

On the ground where the building was built, very restrictive regulations have to be obliged, which determine aesthetics and parameters of newly built constructions, i.a. minimal roof pitch angle of 37 degrees, obligatory eaves etc., which were both obstacles and inspirations in the phase of creating the concept.

photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski
photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski

A three storey, single family house was designed with total space of 860 m2. The house was meant to be modern, but not deprived of connections to traditional forms. It was meant to be a hybrid of traditional building, built in accordance with law, and of modern, timeless architectural form.

photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski
photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski

Context is a very important criterion for a building. The building strikes roots into 8 meters high rocky scarp, towering above the ground with stony roof closed in uniform form, which is pierced by modern, linear, white elements. White, softly drawn arms unfold the plain terrain, forming the remaining part of the building’s cubature, penetrating its centre, creating numerous terraces and half-open interiors, finally overhanging stony crag. The overhang is created by spacious, white terrace, completed with dynamic, sharp edge and firmly slanted glass balustrades.

photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski
photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski

Soft lines of the white arms of the building from the side of the garage form a closed space of the entrance to the house, from the other side they create swimming-pool space with SPA area, which is opened to the garden. The two parts mentioned before creating the functions of the house join together by means of 18 m long footbridge, overhanging the half-open atrium terrace.

photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski
photo_credit Pawel Ulatowski
Pawel Ulatowski

 

Edge House in Krakow

Applied products
View all applied products

Krakow is considered as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Today, the second largest city in Poland is still referred to as the country's unofficial capital. Just four kilometres from the centre as the crow flies, a former quarry has become home to a residence with a striking slate roof: the Edge House. With an eight metre-high quarry edge, the extravagant plot location proved to be a major challenge. This was magnified by the zoning regulations. In this exclusive neighbourhood, gable roofs are a legal requirement. Nevertheless, the owners wanted an unusual solution for the location. Their search for a convincing design lasted two years. Several architects were commissioned, but their results never quite met the owners' expectations. Architect Przemyslaw Olczak from the internationally active studio Mobius Architekten in Krakow finally won their trust and was awarded the contract. His idea was to build the house on the quarry edge. He placed the residential complex on the rugged cliff, adapting it to the contours of the slope with steeply inclined façades and using dark slate to offset it against the existing light-coloured limestone. The exquisite building is also made truly extraordinary through the differences in height. Viewed from the south, it looks like a single-level home, whilst the cliff side to the north reveals three storeys that integrate into the rocks. The owners also wanted the wild flower meadow to be incorporated into the design. In order to prevent the structure from overpowering the meadow-rich plot, the architects designed parts of the site to slope slightly downwards towards the south and west sides of the building. This reduced the height, whilst simultaneously creating a private living and pool area out of view. Several balconies and terraces enable the residents to choose the amount of sun they desire. Inside, a living area of 850 m2 is spread over three floors: a basement, ground floor and upper level. The entrance is at ground level and leads either to the spacious kitchen or through a separate hallway to the lounge and dining area. To the right of the entrance, there is a television room and one bedroom with a guest bathroom. The upper level hosts two large bedrooms with bathrooms and dressing rooms, in addition to a work and office space. In keeping with the exclusive architecture and elegant interior design, the Gira Esprit switch series was an obvious choice. A KNX system was installed for the complex building control.

Caption

The 'brain' behind the system is the Gira HomeServer, which brings together and evaluates all of the information and sends corresponding commands to the devices. Every room is equipped with a Gira push button sensor. The brilliant thing about this intelligent technology is that residents have the option of adding other functions at any time, without having to hack open walls.

Caption
Brand description
Intelligent building technology from Gira Intelligent building technology from Gira represents future-fit technology and flexible solutions, combined with a high quality of design: automatic light control, time-dependent temperature control, convenient door communication, integration of security systems, distribution of music in all rooms and many other functions for more convenience, security and value. At the Radevormwald location, more than 1,000 employees produce switches and socket outlets as well as system components for intelligent building technology, for example devices for the KNX/EIB system. New technologies are always merged with electrical installation via the Gira design platforms to become part of the world of Gira switches. These include not only communication connections and a flush-mounted radio, but also the door communication system from Gira and the Gira nurse call system Plus for hospitals, care homes, doctors' practices and public WC facilities. In addition, the Gira product range encompasses alarm systems as well as energy and light profiles for outdoor installation. In the course of expanding the classic product ranges of switches and socket outlets, Gira has developed and it now considers itself a solution provider for modern building technology which makes living and working more secure, convenient and energy-efficient. Particularly the KNX/EIB system with its multi-functional interfaces opens up nearly unlimited possibilities for building owners and renovators, as well as for planners and architects. The topic of living for the elderly is a good example of this. Demographic change is in full swing, and construction and renovation suitable for seniors is in demand. With its products and solutions, Gira wants to help enable as many people as possible to be able to remain living in their homes and their familiar surroundings as long as possible. Gira products are generally suitable for residential and commercial construction, for new constructions, renovation and restoration. They are marketed exclusively via the specialist trade because Gira is a consistent advocate of the three-level specialised sales process as only this process guarantees high product quality, precise provision if necessary and professional installation and start-up on-site. Gira is represented in around 40 countries worldwide, and the export markets with the highest turnover are the Netherlands, Austria, Norway and Belgium. With the newly launched British Standard range, the Asian and Arabian market are also being opened up in addition to the Anglo-American market. For the German electrical trade and for architects, the name Gira represents innovative strength, product quality, and prize-winning design. For example, Gira products have repeatedly received the iF product design award, red dot design award, Plus X Award and the DESIGN PLUS. In 2011, Gira received the Plus X Award for the fourth consecutive year as the "Most Innovative Brand of the Year" and "Specialized Trade Brand of the Year", each in the electrical and media technology product group. The products from Gira were created in close co-operation with the Gira design team and well-known designers. The demanding aesthetic requirement characterises the entire Gira corporate identity – from visual communication up to the architecture of the new Plastics Centre. Gira has entered a strategic partnership with the audio specialist Revox to collaborate in combining high-quality home entertainment solutions with intelligent building technology. Currently, selected professionals are running 30 Gira Revox Studios in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, offering the opportunity to experience and test state-of-the-art technology. Seminar and training rooms are available in the Gira Sales Centre in Radevormwald. In addition, the in-house exhibition room is an ideal forum for gaining a comprehensive overview of the newest products from Gira and presenting them to your own customers. The Gira Academy offers a wide variety of advanced training opportunities for the specialised trade. In addition to in-house seminars at Gira’s locations in Radevormwald and other cities throughout Germany, special online seminars are offered on the Internet in a virtual classroom and online distance learning courses for self study to facilitate individual and diversified learning. Sustainability has been part of the Gira corporate philosophy since well before it became a member of the German Sustainable Building Council. Gira also contributes to sustainability with its own manufacturing and administration buildings. The Gira Plastics Centre, designed by the renowned firm of Ingenhoven Architects, reflects the philosophy of the company: innovation, transparency and communication. The guiding principle of the architect
Share or Add Edge House in Krakow to your Collections