The Kashubian House, a project by architect Grzegorz Layer, is a compact, 67-square-meter home situated in a forested area near Lake Gowidlinski in the Kashubia region of northwestern Poland. Completed in 2016, the house was designed as a simple, economical, and functional year-round residence that blends harmoniously with its natural surroundings.

The house has a distinctive, asymmetrical shape determined by the functional needs of the interior. Its exterior, clad in dark, blackened pine boards, allows the structure to recede into the shadows of the surrounding trees. The dark facade also helps the building to absorb solar heat, which contributes to warming the interior. In contrast, the interior features natural-colored wood, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Windows are irregularly placed to frame specific views of the forest and meadows, connecting the interior to the lush landscape.

The ground floor features an open-plan layout, with a spacious day zone encompassing the living room, dining area, and a kitchen annex, which has direct access to a terrace. A central staircase divides the open living space from a more private section that includes the main bedroom, a bathroom, and a toilet. The asymmetrical roof provides enough height for a mezzanine level, which houses two guest bedrooms.

The house is built using a traditional timber-framed skeletal construction, with the exterior clad in locally sourced pine.

Credits

Architect: Grzegorz Layer

Completion Year: 2016

Manufacturers: Blachy Pruszyński, HK Living

Photography: Grzegorz Layer