Living in the Green Underground
Written by Beth Flanagan
Architectural innovation at its best, this non-house with its living roof puts a new spin on blending with the landscape. Unlike a tree house, the owner of this dwelling wanted to optically dissolve its walls under a layer of sod. The OUTrial House, located in Ksiazenice, Poland was designed by KWK Promes Architectural firm and was the recipient of the prestigious 2008 International Architecture Award for Best New Global Design.
The integrative concept was developed for a rock musician who wanted to build a modest home that included a conservatory and a recording studio. The project consisted of slicing out a portion of the grass from the site to use as roofing material which, in turn, created the atrium which is only accessible via the home's interior stairs. For the sake of privacy the recording studio was isolated from the house by shifting it upwards which created a balcony effect for the atrium.
Surrounded by beautiful forest, the OUTrial House sits amid an open clearing in a sparsely populated country neighborhood. Its organic façade visually leaves the earth untouched. The curved railless stairs flow down the grassy knoll from natural conservatory to inner sanctum.
Seamlessly joined together, the glass-walled curved lines continue the elliptical theme from the outdoors in. Generous open space allows for visual connection and prompts inspirational discoveries. Minimal furnishings create a dramatic effect with relation to the natural outdoor surroundings and the natural indoor building elements – distractions are eliminated to enhance the view. The fluently formed fireplace, positioned centrally in the interior, creates multiple vignette possibilities.
The sustainable grass-covered rooftop is a smart concept – no flying shingles or tile replacement. It’s a truly green material that naturally insulates from the heat and cold. And as an added benefit, the homeowner can say with confidence that he’s a real down-to-earth kind of guy.
What others have said
What a stunning design. Esthetically, it is perfect. It permits brilliant light, but also considers thermal qualities that are achieved when built underground. I really like the large steps and stairs.
It is a very lovely design, and certainly gets high marks for eco-consciousness, but for me it seems a little (no pun intended), flat. I suppose it would make an amazing super-villain hideout!
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Now this is a beautiful design. The feature from within the building is serene and full of natural lighting. It is ecologically sound and the underground aspect will ensure good insulation for winter and summer.