The RB23 project is a proud winner of the Silver A' Design Award in Architecture 2022-2023 in the Architecture, Building and Structure category at the prestigious global A' Design Award & Competition. Even prior to this, in 2021, the realization was recognized as one of the Most Interesting and Best Houses in Poland.
This nearly 300-square-meter home, which can easily be classified as a boutique residence, is situated in a wooded suburban town near Warsaw. It deliberately steps away from the monumental, multi-story forms with sprawling driveways for several cars or massive heated indoor pools. Instead, RB23 is a light, dynamic architectural composition consisting of three cuboid volumes. Each is clad in clinker brick and serves a distinct function. The house sits harmoniously on a 1,700-square-meter forest plot.
The approach to the house is guided by the softly curved wall of the projecting garage volume. The entrance is highlighted by a glass vestibule and a large, square window that acts as a frame, capturing a picturesque view of the staircase within the living room.
Upon entering, the interior opens up to a spacious living room with a fireplace, a dining area, and an open kitchen with an island. Across the hallway lies a study, a guest room, and a large walk-in closet with a bathroom. These two zones are gracefully divided by a light, openwork staircase that appears to rest freely against the upper floor ceiling. The ground floor boasts a height of 3 meters and the absence of visible concrete lintels above the window openings, allowing the expansive glazing to slice seamlessly through the walls from the floor to the very ceiling.
Through the sliding windows in the living room, residents can step out onto the exterior terrace—a true relaxation zone. Sofas are arranged in the pleasant shade beneath the cantilevered upper floor, offering an unobstructed view of the garden. Rather than a traditional large indoor pool, the space features a heated plunge pool module with a jacuzzi, seamlessly integrated into an exotic wood deck. Adjacent to this is a roofed annex serving as a summer dining room, with an audio system cleverly concealed within the roof insulation. The lounge area overlooks meticulously curated forest greenery; alongside perennial pines and oaks, the landscaping features junipers, yews, and barberries, while lavender and catmint have been planted to naturally repel mosquitoes.
The third cuboid, which constitutes the upper floor, rests atop the ground floor volumes and remains the most distinctive element of the entire design. On the entrance side, its facade is pierced by a long, narrow window pushed deep into the wall. This effect is accentuated by slanted walls framed within a narrow ceramic border. The architectural solution evokes the image of a forest observation blind, from which one can quietly observe the surrounding nature through a narrow slit. This upper level is a strictly private zone for the residents, comprising three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a walk-in closet, as well as a laundry room. The rooms open onto a balcony that simultaneously acts as a functional roof for the outdoor relaxation area below.
The house is fully equipped with mechanical ventilation, underfloor heating, and a smart home system managing both light and sound. The large-format windows feature sleek aluminum frames, the facades are elegantly finished with clinker brick, and the driveway and pathways are paved with architectural concrete slabs.
This nearly 300-square-meter home, nestled on a forest plot with a thoughtfully designed garden and an intimate pool lounge, fully deserves the title of a modern boutique residence.
Winner of the SILVER A' DESIGN AWARD IN ARCHITECTURE 2022-2023 in the Architecture, Building and Structure category at the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. Recognized by the ARCHINEA and F5 design portals as ONE OF THE BEST HOUSES IN POLAND.
