primary colors imbue the wooden A-frame house wolin in poland

pine plywood panels are employed for both the exterior facade and interior walls.

kpmr edited by pietro mini September 5, 2023 3 min

A-frame House Wolin pops up ON Poland’s Baltic Sea coast

Zürich-based Pankowska & Rohrhofer builds House Wolin, a holiday retreat embedded in the pastoral landscape of Poland’s Baltic Sea coast. The A-frame wooden structure reminisces of the ‘Brda’ houses, a common regional typology of prefabricated wooden cabins, popularized during Poland’s communist era as a cost-effective solution for state-sponsored recreational areas and holiday facilities.

The project examines the opposite end of Rem Koolhaas‘ statements on large structures, according to which the spatial separation between the core and envelope increases to such an extent that the interior and exterior become two distinct architectural entities. By contrast, House Wolin explores the opposite spatial phenomenon. Due to its small scale, the specific characteristics of its boundaries, transitioning between the interior and exterior, become the project’s defining spatial quality.

primary colors imbue the wooden A-frame house wolin in poland - 1 — all images by Rasmus Norlander

vibrant colors adorn the wooden surfaces of the house

The house comprises three levels, each of which with its own distinctive attributes. The ground floor prominently opens up to the natural surroundings, with two expansive terraces extending the living area to form a fluid transition between the interior and exterior. Below ground level, the bathroom receives natural light through a small window, creating an introverted space. The sleeping area is located on the topmost level, where a generously proportioned window directs the view to the sky. For the material selection for House Wolin, the design team chooses pine wood as the dominant element. Pine plywood panels are employed for both the exterior facade and interior walls, extending to the furniture and cabinetry within. The flooring features slats made from pine wood. Color is a key element in House Wolin, contributing to the distinctive atmosphere of each level.

primary colors imbue the wooden A-frame house wolin in poland - 2 — the holiday retreat embedded in the pastoral landscape of Poland’s Baltic Sea coast

primary colors imbue the wooden A-frame house wolin in poland - 3 — the structure reminisces of the ‘Brda’ houses, a common regional typology of prefabricated wooden cabins

primary colors imbue the wooden A-frame house wolin in poland - 4 — Pankowska & Rohrhofer’s House Wolin is defined by its wooden A-frame structure

primary colors imbue the wooden A-frame house wolin in poland - 5 — smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces become the project’s defining spatial quality

primary colors imbue the wooden A-frame house wolin in poland - 6 — in the sleeping area, a generously proportioned window directs the view to the sky

primary colors imbue the wooden A-frame house wolin in poland - 7 — bright colors contribute to the distinctive atmosphere of each level

primary colors imbue the wooden A-frame house wolin in poland - 8 — the ground floor prominently opens up to the natural surroundings

two expansive terraces extend the living area to form a fluid transition between the interior and exterior pine plywood panels are employed for both the exterior facade and interior walls the flooring features slats made from pine wood the bathroom receives natural light through a small window, creating an introverted space

project info:

name: House Wolin
architect: Pankowska & Rohrhofer | @pankowska.rohrhofer

location: Wolin, Poland

photography: Rasmus Norlander

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