This house was designed for a young family with two children, who had previously lived in the apartment, and wanted to have more space and privacy. Located in Stara Lubovna, Slovakia, the house is surrounded by social housing developments and family homes. This site was chosen because one of the client spent his childhood here – 3 old birch trees, planted by the client’s father are still growing near the house. Also, by choosing this site, the owners saved money on construction. The house is clad with wood and resembles the typical structure of Slovakian barns. Inside, locally sourced spruce has been used for the floors, window frames, doors, kitchen and a long wardrobe that extends from the centre of the house to parents bedroom. Due to the cold winters and hot summers in Slovakia, a 45 cm thick insulation was used for the external walls. In order to heat the interior naturally and keep energy consumption low during the winter, the house was directed to the south side. Wooden facade and naturally ventilated roof help to keep the house from overheating during summer.

Project by Martin Boles Architect

Photos by Erika Banyayova