House in the Orchard
Completed in January 2017, House in the Orchard is an unconventional home located in a steeply-sloping orchard on the outskirts of Prague in the Czech Republic. Designed by Šépka Architekti, the building is a bulbous form supported by a small stalk-like reinforced concrete pillar. This, it is suggested, was necessitated by the steep slope of the site which would have made conventional foundations very difficult to construct.
Rising to a height of three storeys, the wide base tapers upwards as a counterpoint to six large surrounding trees. The timber framed structure is clad with plywood coated in a protective layer of sprayed polyurethane to give an uneven appearance - as if it has been moulded from clay.
Measuring a total of 80 sq. m, the timber frame structure and birch plywood boards remain exposed on the inside. The living and dining room occupy the northern side of the ground floor, featuring origami-like wooden chairs and a black wood-burning stove, and offering a view towards the Brook Rokytka valley below. The southern side contains a kitchen, small toilet and bedroom.
A staircase leads to the master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, while another set of stairs provides access to a small study on the top floor.
Content and images courtesy of Šépka Architekti.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Plumbing and heating systems in schools
New apprentice pay rates coming into effect in the new year
Addressing the impact of recent national minimum wage changes.
EBSSA support for the new industry competence structure
The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority, in working group 2.
Notes from BSRIA Sustainable Futures briefing
From carbon down to the all important customer: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
Principal Designer: A New Opportunity for Architects
ACA launches a Principal Designer Register for architects.
A new government plan for housing and nature recovery
Exploring a new housing and infrastructure nature recovery framework.
Leveraging technology to enhance prospects for students
A case study on the significance of the Autodesk Revit certification.
Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance
Announced during commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
CIAT responds to the updated National Planning Policy Framework
With key changes in the revised NPPF outlined.
Councils and communities highlighted for delivery of common-sense housing in planning overhaul
As government follows up with mandatory housing targets.
CIOB photographic competition final images revealed
Art of Building produces stunning images for another year.
HSE prosecutes company for putting workers at risk
Roofing company fined and its director sentenced.
Strategic restructure to transform industry competence
EBSSA becomes part of a new industry competence structure.
Major overhaul of planning committees proposed by government
Planning decisions set to be fast-tracked to tackle the housing crisis.
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.