Project: Edge House
Architects: Mobius Architects
Location: Krakow, Poland
Area: 9,256 sf
Photographs by: Pawel Ulatowski
Edge House by Mobius Architects
The work of Polish studio Mobius Architects on the Green Line House project was just featured on our site, but while looking for details on that project we came across another one of their unique home designs. The Edge House in Krakow, Poland is a rather large residence with almost 9,500 square feet of living spaces under a traditional pitched roof, but besides that it also has a section under a huge green roof which is basically a terrace that connects to an infinity pool.
8 meters high limestone crag, the remainder of an old stone pit, creates the character of the parcel, which is additionally emphasized by a very interesting panoramic view on the hills surrounding the city. The parcel consists of three levels: the level of green terraces created by means of the building’s project, the arms which create it, parcel where the building’s ground floor is located and parcel below the scarp, where the rest of the garden is.
On the ground where the building was built, very restrictive regulations have to be obliged,which determine aesthetics and parameters of newly built constructions, i.a. minimal roof pitch angle of 37 degrees, obligatory eaves etc., which were both obstacles and inspirations in the phase of creating the concept.
A three story, single family house was designed with total space of 860 m2. The house was meant to be modern, but not deprived of connections to traditional forms. It was meant to be a hybrid of traditional building, built in accordance with law, and of modern, timeless architectural form.
Context is a very important criterion for a building. The building strikes roots into 8 meters high rocky scarp, towering above the ground with stony roof closed in uniform form, which is pierced by modern, linear, white elements. White, softly drawn arms unfold the plain terrain, forming the remaining part of the building’s cubature, penetrating its centre, creating numerous terraces and half-open interiors, finally overhanging stony crag. The overhang is created by spacious, white terrace, completed with dynamic, sharp edge and firmly slanted glass balustrades.
Soft lines of the white arms of the building from the side of the garage form a closed space of the entrance to the house, from the other side they create swimming-pool space with SPA area, which is opened to the garden. The two parts mentioned before creating the functions of the house join together by means of 18 m long footbridge, overhanging the half-open atrium terrace.
The concept of the building is based on, i.a. optimal integration of the living space into the terrain. By such actions, the building becomes multidimensional. External structure of the building together with the interior forms many half-open interiors and openings which enlarge and diversify living space of the house. Second distinctive feature of the building is its front elevation which overhangs 8 meters high scarp. Cantilever overhanging white frame, piercing stony, graphite block, is completed with dynamic, Sharp edge.
Finishing materials used in the realization include graphite skate stones, wood, copper sheet metal tecu in two colours – green and grey, wooden windows with large, glazed surface. The building was equipped with ventilation system, air conditioning and building automation system.
