Border House / 2022
Relationship with the forest
context
The name “Boundary House” carries a dual meaning that forms the foundation of the entire architectural concept. On one hand, it directly refers to Graniczna Street in Rybnik, where the development is located. On the other—and more importantly—it expresses the idea of creating subtle boundaries.
The plot, although large and prestigious, lies at the meeting point of two worlds: urban infrastructure and wild nature. To the west, it borders Graniczna Street, a route with considerable traffic that forms a clear line of demarcation. Just beyond it stretches a majestic wall of forest, the strongest landscape asset of this location.
It is precisely this duality—the noise of the road versus the tranquility of nature—that became the starting point for both the name and the overall idea of the building.
idea
window
A narrow window positioned above eye level runs along the entire western façade, framing views from the interior toward the tree canopies and the setting sun beyond them. At the same time, it completely prevents direct visual contact between the street and the home’s occupants.
between the redness of brick and whiteness of
One of the most intriguing features of Boundary House is the treatment of its wall envelope. The façades are built from reclaimed bricks salvaged from demolition—a material with character, carrying its own history and unique texture. Yet this is not a conventional brick façade. The bricks are coated with a white plaster that has been applied in a deliberately imperfect, loosely finished manner, creating a sense of visual suspension. The materiality of the walls appears to exist on the threshold between exposed brick and plastered surface.
door
building's colour
brick
plan
view from the garden
layout
The layout of the house creates a clear barrier between the bustle of the street and the private sanctuary within. Entering the building is not merely a matter of crossing a threshold, but a carefully choreographed sequence—a ritual of passing through successive layers of privacy.
visual depth
entrance ritual
The first encounter with the house takes place at its front façade, which presents itself as a monolithic, almost defensive structure. The entrance openings, flush with the wall surface, together with the concealed garage door, reinforce the building’s enclosed character. The true experience, however, begins after passing through the entrance gate. Here, one enters a small, intimate courtyard. It is a transitional space—no longer on the street, yet not fully inside the house. The courtyard functions as a buffer, serving the entrance hall, kitchen, living room, and walk-in wardrobe through large glazed openings. From this perspective, the house becomes transparent while remaining protected. Only after crossing the physical threshold of the front door does one arrive in the light-filled heart of the home.
between the patio and the terrace
moving borders
Once inside, the enclosed exterior gives way to a transparent interior. The concrete ceiling extends seamlessly toward the continuous clerestory window running along the entire western façade. Several of the interior walls are also glazed at their upper sections, allowing the ceiling to appear as though it flows uninterrupted from one room to another.As with the western façade, the glazing is positioned so that people on either side cannot see one another directly. This preserves privacy while enhancing the sense of openness and spatial continuity.
kitchen
optical instrument
At the same time, the panoramic ribbon window—perfectly framing the tree canopies and the setting sun beyond—becomes even more pronounced from within. The main living space is illuminated from both the east and the west, allowing daylight to pass through the house. Because the interior walls and floor are almost entirely white, the house functions as an optical instrument. Throughout the day, the atmosphere of the interior is continuously transformed, shifting from the cool blue tones of the morning to the warm golden light of the evening.
bathroom
silence enclave
Completing the concept is a generous timber terrace that serves as a natural extension of the living room. It is conceived as a space carved out of the building’s volume, enclosed by walls on three sides. This design provides the residents with a high degree of privacy and tranquility, shielding them from the noise of passing traffic. Boundary House is an exploration of the idea that architecture can act as a filter—carefully selecting the most valuable qualities of its surroundings while leaving the chaos beyond its walls.
terrace
blended border
The spacious terrace, conceived as an extension of the living room, is enclosed by walls on three sides, providing the residents with a high degree of privacy and tranquility. The reinforced concrete ceilings extend seamlessly into the exterior roof canopies, blurring the boundary between the interior and the garden.
evening time
