- Project: Konieczny's Ark
- Architect: KWK Promes
- Location: Poland, Brenna
- Year: 2015
- Area: 138 m2
- Photography: Olo Studio
Perched high on a steep slope in the Polish town of Brenna, Konieczny’s Ark is an architectural marvel that merges rural simplicity with cutting-edge structural innovation. Designed by KWK Promes, the award-winning studio led by Robert Konieczny, the home reinterprets the form of a traditional barn into a bold, modern residence suspended above the terrain.
Design Inspired by Nature and Risk
The site posed serious challenges. Located in the Silesian Beskids mountain range, the sloped terrain presented an increasing risk of landslides—a natural hazard growing more frequent in Poland’s mountainous regions. To mitigate this, the architects conceived the house as a structural bridge rather than a typical foundation-based building.
Only one corner of the home touches the ground, while the rest of the structure floats above, supported by three slender concrete walls. This allows rainwater to flow naturally underneath the house, reducing soil erosion and mimicking the form of an ark navigating a floodplain.
A Barn Transformed: Form and Function
Although it appears futuristic, the home adheres to local zoning laws requiring a gable roof, typical of traditional Polish barns. The resulting form is minimalist yet powerful, combining:
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A pitched roof that improves runoff and blends with regional aesthetics
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Inverted structural planes that add tension and rigidity
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Slight ground clearance that creates the illusion of movement
This dual-roof concept ensures excellent weather protection and contributes to the ark-like identity of the house.
A House That Floats
This architectural approach leads to a unique typology: a house that barely touches the earth. It sits lightly on its site, intervening minimally with the natural landscape and responding intelligently to environmental pressures. The design also ensures thermal performance, structural integrity, and visual drama, all within a compact 1,485-square-foot footprint.
Symbolism and Sustainability
The ark metaphor is not just visual—it reflects a deeper environmental philosophy. The project is a statement on how architecture can adapt to increasingly volatile natural conditions. By minimizing its footprint and working with natural topography, Konieczny’s Ark stands as a model for resilient, site-specific design in vulnerable terrains.
Conclusion: Innovation Anchored in Tradition
Konieczny’s Ark demonstrates how modern architecture can draw from vernacular forms while addressing climate resilience and engineering challenges. It’s a house that literally and symbolically rises above risk—a protective vessel for modern mountain living.
