A Futuristic White Cube House with Anti Smog Concrete | House in White
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A Futuristic White Cube House with Anti Smog Concrete | House in White
Located in the prestigious district of Wola Justowska, House in White is a striking example of contemporary architecture that merges sculptural form with environmental innovation. Designed by UCEES Studio, the residence combines minimalist design principles with cutting-edge sustainable technologies.
Often referred to as Krakow’s version of Beverly Hills, Wola Justowska is one of the most desirable residential areas in Krakow. The district’s popularity comes from its rare balance of urban convenience and natural surroundings. It sits close to the historic city center while remaining rich in greenery, bordered by the largest woodland park in the region and located near attractions such as the local zoo and the historic Piłsudski's Mound.
From the earliest design stages, the architects envisioned the project as a contemporary interpretation of the classic urban villa. The house stands on a relatively small plot yet manages to command attention through its clarity of form and meticulous detailing.
Rather than competing with neighboring buildings, the design respectfully acknowledges the presence of nearby modernist villas. The result is a minimalist structure that stands out not through excess but through precision.
The house is organized around a nearly square plan and appears externally as a compact white cube. Shape, texture, and shadow become the primary tools used to define the architecture.
Concrete was chosen as the main construction material. Using white cement, the façade is clad with specially fabricated fiberglass-reinforced concrete panels. These three-dimensional panels wrap the building from the base all the way to the roof, giving the exterior a dynamic sculptural quality.
The architectural form of the house was developed through a process the designers describe as “chiseling away” the cube. By removing and carving sections of the original volume, they created recessed terraces, sculpted concave forms, and a slightly reduced upper floor.
These interventions introduce depth and complexity into what initially appears to be a simple geometric volume.
Across the façade, the concrete panels fit together like pieces of a puzzle. The architects deliberately avoided the use of additional materials such as metal trims, cornices, or traditional window sills. With the exception of the glass windows and the nearly invisible glass balustrade on the upper floor, the entire exterior composition is defined almost entirely by concrete.
This intense focus on material purity required exceptional attention to detail. Every joint between façade panels, every integration between windows and concrete surfaces, and every transition between flat and three-dimensional elements was carefully engineered.
These details extend throughout the entire building—from rounded recesses and subtle façade breaks to the terraces and even the vertical fencing elements surrounding the property.
The subtlety of these solutions means that much of the architectural expression becomes most noticeable when viewed up close. Precision craftsmanship and design discipline give the building its refined and minimalist character.
The house also displays a strong environmental focus. The façade panels are made using a specialized cement known as TioCem, a material capable of reducing nitrogen oxides in polluted air. This anti-smog technology transforms the building envelope into a surface that actively contributes to improving air quality.
In addition, the project incorporates a range of sustainable systems including heat-recovery ventilation, photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting, and green terraces.
During construction, special care was taken to preserve all the existing trees on the site, allowing the surrounding vegetation to become an integral part of the architectural composition.
Through its sculptural form, technological innovation, and environmental sensitivity, House in White demonstrates how minimalist architecture can achieve both aesthetic refinement and ecological responsibility.
Architects: UCEES - https://ucees.pl/
Photographers: Pawel Ulatowski - / photostructure
Location: Wola Justowska, Kraków, Poland
Project Year: 2024
Category: Private Houses
Building Area: 490 m2
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