A Modern Wooden House Designed to Blend with Nature | Villa Above The Water
#woodenarchitecture #homedesign #architecture
A Modern Wooden House Designed to Blend with Nature | Villa Above The Water
Located on the edge of a small village near Prague, Family House Near Prague is a contemporary home designed to evolve alongside its landscape. At the time the project was conceived, the site was surrounded by open wildflower meadows with expansive views. However, anticipating future development in the area, the architect made a deliberate decision to orient the house inward—toward the garden and the nearby forest.
This thoughtful orientation allows the house to protect its own private world while maintaining a close relationship with nature.
The building adopts an L-shaped configuration that takes advantage of the gentle slope of the land. From the street, the house appears modest and relatively closed, ensuring privacy and respecting the scale of its surroundings. In contrast, the interior opens generously toward an intimate garden that gradually rises toward the forest.
The terraced landscape design adds depth and movement to the outdoor space, transforming the garden into a natural extension of the house’s living areas.
At the center of the garden lies one of the project’s most distinctive features—a swimming pond that acts as the heart of the home. This natural water element connects directly to the wooden terrace attached to the main living space, forming both a visual focal point and a calming outdoor environment.
Two large sliding glass portals open the living room toward the terrace and garden, seamlessly blending interior and exterior spaces. This connection creates a fluid living environment where architecture and landscape function together as one continuous experience.
With a floor area of over 250 square meters, the house provides generous living spaces for family life. The layout includes five main rooms, two bathrooms, a walk-in closet, and a spacious open-plan living area that combines the kitchen, dining, and lounge spaces.
A long hallway lined with bookshelves forms the main axis of the house. This calm corridor connects all functional zones and acts as the structural backbone of the interior organization.
The structural system relies on large-format solid wood panels known as Novatop Solid. These engineered timber elements provide high structural rigidity, excellent thermal insulation, and a comfortable indoor climate throughout the year.
Externally, the façade is clad with thermally treated Thermowood, a material chosen for its durability and its ability to age naturally. Over time, the wood will gradually change color, helping the building blend harmoniously with the surrounding greenery.
A green mono-pitched roof further integrates the house into the landscape while also contributing to improved thermal performance.
Sustainability played a key role in the design of the home. Heating is provided by electric underfloor heating complemented by a fireplace insert, while domestic hot water is generated using a heat pump. Photovoltaic panels installed on the roof support the house’s energy efficiency, and a rainwater storage system collects water for reuse.
The construction also incorporates recycled materials and vapor-open assemblies to promote healthy building performance. In addition, humidity sensors were installed within the structure to continuously monitor the condition of the building and prevent potential hidden damage.
The project was fully realized by 3AE, which served as both the architectural designer and the general contractor—from the foundation slab to the interior finishes.
Rather than attempting to dominate its surroundings, this house was designed to quietly belong. It allows the landscape, natural light, and everyday life to shape the atmosphere of the home, creating a peaceful environment that evolves naturally over time.
Contractors: 3AE - https://3ae.cz/
Photographers: Petr Polák - https://petrpolakstudio.cz/
Metal roofing: Poklem - https://www.poklem.cz/#1
Photo: Petr Polák
Chairs: Merano chair by Ton Design
Sofa: Böhm GmbH
Fireplace: Hoxter
CLT panels: NOVATOP (CLT) / Acoustic
Folded sheet metal roof: PREFA GmbH
Wooden windows: Znackova okna
Location: Czech Republic
Project Year: 2023
Category: Private Houses
Building Area: 335 m2
#modernarchitecture #woodenhouse #sustainablearchitecture #contemporaryhome #naturearchitecture #architecturedesign #housetour #ecoarchitecture #architectureinspiration #architecturelovers