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.

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