Log Cabins of the 21st century

August 10, 2010

Log Cabins of the 21st century

Stribrna Skalice House / Prodesi | Domesi

Architects: Prodesi | Domesi – Pavel Horák
Location: Czech Republic
Contractor: Domesi, s. r. o.
Floor area: 133 sqm
Project Year: 2009–2010
Photographs: Lina Németh

This weekend getaway house provides an excellent opportunity to examine an example of a well executed use of space. It is certainly a modern take on a classic idea. I am intrigued by the humble grandeur embodied in this design. I appreciate the way the buildings do not over power the site, and create an exterior circulation. The rear terrace is a seamless extension of the living room. By providing shutters to enclose the terrace, the size of the living room is nearly doubled.

Another thing going for this space is the roll and placement of the staircase. It does a few things. By having a gallery surrounding the staircase on the second floor allows for the double height spaces to increase the feeling of space into the living room. The loft space helps emphasize the classic notion of a cottage. This is actually a very clever and fun place for the chimney. It also leads the eye upstairs and places the hearth at the centre of the room, relegating the tv to the back wall. The staircase also functions to create a service corridor that separates the living space from the storage closet & bathroom. Having the kitchen situated in the corner is also significant. The kitchen itself is a little more than an alcove with room only for a couple of people to cook or stand and drink a coffee. It is not the star of the social space, like an open concept kitchen. This allows for private food prep on a relatively small scale, reminding us that this space is not meant to prepare a holiday feast. Its size is proportional to the amount of people sleeping here. This modest kitchen is actually a decadent luxury compared to a camping stove and basin. The dining room is also appropriately sized and placed perfectly between the living room and kitchen. Here again the stairs shape the space and create the feeling of a dining room without having room defining walls. The service spaces are also on the wall that faces the densely treed front street. These rooms do not really need to capitalize on light in any case, so only small windows are required. The house therefore projects a need for privacy from the facade to the street instead of placing its occupants on display. Alternatively, the back of the house that opens with large windows onto the inset terrace and interacts with the large, private yard. The second covered exterior deck is also cleverly multifunctional. It helps frame the yard and provide privacy. It also functions a tiny pool house to the hot tub, storage space for exterior furniture and wood shed on the back. There is actually nothing particularly artistic or incredibly remarkable about the exterior architecture and massing of the space, but there is an understated beauty and intelligence in the design that speaks volumes.