A small village called Lesznowola, nested near Warsaw in the confines of a picturesque pine wood, has become an ideal backdrop for a unique residence. The design, where functionality intertwines in perfect harmony with elegance, is a joint creation of Exterio architectural studio and interior design Hola Design, part of the Hola Group, headquartered in Warsaw.
The luxurious villa’s form brings to mind several houses suspended in mid air – hence its name. The greatest challenge the designers of the Warsaw studio faced, was to integrate the extensive functionality planned for the residence into forest surroundings, while keeping the building’s scale small and cozy.
- In our design, we proposed architecture harking back to the modernist motto: “form follows function.” The modern villa is meant to bring together a large family, while meeting the expectations of all inhabitants, who may wish to have their own quiet enclave with a forest view – says Marcin Klukowski, an architect with Exterio studio.
The form began to take shape with the creation of a separate “house” for every inhabitant, to be their private sanctuary. Thus a composition of repeating structures in the form of modern day barns was created.
Each barn represents a separate living space, resembling an archetypical gabled house, bringing forward associations with warmth and safety. In order to underscore them being separate, the structures were elevated above the ground floor and overhung in the form of bays – Thus, we were able to build the impression that the structures are suspended in the forest – the architect Marcin Klukowski adds.
Sanctuary houses were seated on a connecting glazed base, which is the common living area for the entire family. It houses the entrance hall, a two-story living room, a dining room, a kitchen, a study, as well as a recreation zone with a sauna and a swimming pool. All spaces open up into the surrounding view through facades that are almost entirely made of glass.
The functional division of the building was underscored with the materials used, drawing inspiration from industrial architecture seen at the turn of the century. The ground floor, which serves as the base for the entire building, is trimmed with full, hand-formed red brick, layered into a decorative motif. Black coated tiles made of zinc-titanium sheet metal cover the first floor and the roofs. Each house’s levitating form is additionally accentuated by the use of corten sheet metal, both for the top elements of the facade, as well as soffits.
The interior constitutes is a harmoniums extension of the architecture, as its matches the facade both in terms of materials and colors. Aged brick, black steel and corten-color elements appear inside. The whole design was meticulously warmed up with natural oak, in the form of brushed French herringbone on the floors and smooth wall facings.
- A refined combination of modernity with light loft form and a touch of glamour characterize the interior style. Subtle grays, warm shades of wood and brown color seamlessly intertwine with the roughness of concrete and strong black lines. While decorative elements in yellow, gold and blue add life and a feisty character to the interiors – say Monika Bronikowska and Adam Bronikowski, the co-owners of Hola Design studio.
Quartz sinter in the kitchen bestow an elegant and durable nature to this space, while the fireplace made of hammered granite adds a distinctive character to it. Natural stone, such as quartzite and marble, was used in the bathrooms, with original mosaics personalizing those intimate spaces.
The upstairs bedrooms, creating gabled houses, create an individual space for each inhabitant. In the spaces meant for children, architects set up play areas situated in mezzanines. In the master bedroom, a Chesterfield style quilted head of the bed, made of natural suede leather, catches the eye, made according to the custom design from Hola Deign.
The area of the villa is decorated with carefully picked design elements delivered by Italian and German brands, bestowing an air of refinement on the whole complex. Interiors have been carefully draped with pieces of art by young Polish and Spanish artists.
The residence, with it’s impressive 941 square meters, not only provides a spacious living area, but also state of the art technological solutions. A tasteful study, a home cinema enclosed in a glass cubicle, along with a gym and SPA that houses a swimming pool, saunas and external hot tub, complement the residence’s luxurious offer.
Everyday living is further facilitated by a stylish elevator clad in black steel, connecting the levels of the building.Technical rooms and a garage are situated in the underground floor, spanning the entire building.
Team:
Architect: HOLA Design
Photography: Yassen Hristov
