House in the clearing

Above Blatno in the Ore Mountains, meadows break into stripes according to glades and boulders. And it was to one of these that a narrow winding road led to a dilapidated cabin, which was gradually being engulfed by greenery. Enchanted by the views in all directions, new owners purchased the land with a clear vision – to create their second home, a quiet haven for family and friends. "Nothing remained of the original wooden cabin on the site due to its poor condition, not even the foundations. However, the mature greenery remained; we carefully respected it and avoided it," describes Ing. arch. Miroslav Polák from the architectural studio ArchPOLAK, which took charge of the design of the new building. The house thus rose exactly where the landscape allowed it. Its elongated silhouette mirrors the line of beech trees in the middle of the plot, ends at a terrain break, and opens with a glass gable to the landscape. The atmosphere of the entire place is complemented by a separate wellness area with a sauna.

Concept Guided by Landscape and Light

Thanks to the fact that the architect previously designed the family house for the owners, trust prevailed between both parties from the start, allowing the design of their second home to develop completely freely, with only minor optimization of functional links according to the family's current needs. The two-level layout, combined with the glass gable and the opening into the roof structure, allows the interior to work with light and views throughout the day. Every step, every turn of the gaze reveals a different perspective – in the morning on the forests in the haze, and with the approaching evening on the golden slopes under the setting sun.

Resistance to the demanding mountain climate is ensured by metal cladding on the gabled roof and parts of the façade. The second – flat – part of the roof is covered with greenery in accordance with the main concept, and the remaining façade of the house is clad in larch slats that naturally age and acquire a patina.

Natural Tones, Black Accents

The visual design of the interior was created in collaboration with architects from the studio Čtyři stěny, whom the owners approached based on previous positive experiences. "We built on the implementation project of the studio ArchPOLAK and completed it in the final form of the interior with the authors' awareness," says Ing. arch. Jana Kašparová from the studio Čtyři stěny and continues: "The concept of the whole house is based on the views of the landscape, which we wanted to support with materials – wood, stone, muted tones. The brief was free; the owners only requested to prioritize natural materials."

Upon entering the house, visitors are greeted by a design-wise clean hall with built-in wardrobes and interior doors from the Dorsis brand, which seamlessly connect with the wall cladding due to hidden frames. Here, the color palette of the entire interior fully manifests – soft, based on natural materials and earthy tones, supplemented by black accents, which represent not only the entrance doors and the staircase railing but also the door handles. The ENTERO handle model, chosen by the architects from the Čtyři stěny studio in a durable titanium surface in matte black, highlights the overall simplicity and elegance of the interior. "At first glance, the ENTERO handle appears angular, but in reality, due to the gentle rounding of the grip, it is extraordinarily pleasant to hold, and that is its strength – in the combination of simple shape and thoughtful ergonomics," adds Roman Ulich, the chief designer of the Czech family manufactory M&T. Such details emphasize the combination of functionality and aesthetics, which is characteristic of the entire interior – nothing here is purposeless; every element has its place and significance. This is confirmed by the thoughtful construction of the staircase, which serves not only as a vertical communication axis but also as a storage space on the side.

Fire in the Heart of the House

From the hall and the adjoining corridor, one enters the quiet part of the house, which houses the bedroom, children's room, and a separately accessible guest room with its own bathroom. Behind the staircase, the space then opens naturally into the main daily area. The kitchen, dining room, and living room here form one continuous unit, benefiting from generous glazing and a height open to the roof structure. The dominant feature of the room is the fireplace, which visually divides the space into two zones – kitchen-dining and relaxing. The kitchen unit from the manufacturer Bé Trojka is finished in a muted gray-green shade that changes in different light and naturally harmonizes with the landscape colors outside the windows. In the area by the stove, it is complemented by a backsplash of small rectangular tiles laid vertically – a subtle rhythm that enlivens an otherwise calm surface.

The L-shaped kitchen connects to an island with bar stools and further to the dining room with a large wooden table for eight people. From the dining room, it is possible to step out onto two terraces that create a natural connection between the interior and exterior. On either side of the aforementioned fireplace, three low steps rise to the elevated living room. To the left of the fireplace, a nook for storing wood is practically hidden – functional yet decorative, evoking life in the mountains. This idea is enhanced by the endless views of the landscape through the glass gable wall.

Above the kitchen, a gallery opens, which partially serves as an office. From here, one can look into both the interior and the mountain distance. The gallery adds airiness to the interior and allows one to be "in the center of activities" even when working or resting aside.

When Silence Speaks

The color palette remains consistent throughout the house – discreet, calm, without unnecessary contrasts. Thanks to the thoughtful design and natural materials, the interior and exterior feel like one cohesive entity, natural, which was the main goal of the architects. "Preserving greenery in close contact with the building, generous glazing, and natural integration of the interior with the exterior creates a harmonious environment where the family truly feels at home," adds architect Miroslav Polák.

The house has become a natural part of the glade – it does not stand out but lives with the landscape. It offers a place where time stops, where fire, wood, and views of the mountains define the rhythm of the day. "A few times we waded through the snow up to our hips on inspection days," laughs architect Jana Kašparová and concludes: "But that's precisely what reminded us why this building has such strength – one feels nature fully here, in every season." It is no coincidence that this holiday house in Blatno has received the award Building of the Year 2025, confirming that its strength lies not in ostentation, but in peace, silence, and respect for the place.

Location: Blatno, Ore Mountains
Completion: 2024
Usable area: 367 m²

Construction system: Brick construction (ceramic walls), partially monolithic concrete, monolithic ceiling and wooden beam, wooden roof structure
Heating source: Air-water heat pump, additional source hot air fireplace

Materials and suppliers:

• Roof windows: FAKRO
• Doors: Dorsis and custom production
• Door and window fittings: M&T, ENTERO collection, www.kliky-mt.cz
• Switches and sockets: Jung
• Floor coverings: Parket Atelier
• Tiles: General Factory, Wild Stone
• Furniture and kitchen unit: Bé Trojka
• Sanitary equipment: General Factory

Authors:

• Building design: Ing. arch. Miroslav Polák, studio ArchPOLAK, www.archpolak.cz
• Interior: Ing. arch. Jana Kašparová, studio Čtyři stěny, www.ctyristeny.cz

Photo: Tomáš Dittrich for M&T