Living-Garden Home attempts at redefining the single-family house to integrate architecture with nature. The classic household division into the living area, located in the ground floor and the sleeping area above was transformed into new typology. During the day, we should be able to interact with the environment, with the light (cognitive functions), whereas in the night, we appreciate separation from the environment (safety function). Dichotomy is thus born: the ground floor opens up to the garden under the floor ledge, whereas the first floor is more introvert. Living space merges with nature, glass partitions are the sole protection against the weather. The floor extends the lawn by utilizing grass mimicking materials. The living room has become the living-garden.
We live in the garden during the day and enclose in the cocoon at night – an idea derived
from the past. Our ancestors would harvest food in daylight while sheltering in the trees at night. Living-garden restores the original order.
The house was built in Izbica near Warsaw. A beautiful plot on a hill, overlooking a river bend provides quite the sight. The area is however filled with summer resort houses. The architects therefore wanted to open the form up to the South where the sights are, while isolating them from the neighbors. Hence the L-shaped ground floor enclosing the plot. Separate garage limits the garden. It was the wish of the investor to retain all trees.
The form was altered to acknowledge the old growth. Rounded ground floor resembles a rock, on which the upper, night section rests. Protruding ledge created a shaded garden merging with the living section. It is enclosed by massive ground floor forms on the one side and with glass partitions on the other. A living-garden is thus created – a room on the verge of two worlds: house and nature.