Edge House In Kraków, Poland

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Anne Francis
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The Edge House was constructed in 2013 in Krakow, Poland by Mobius Architects, and it offers 9,256 square feet of space. Built on a site that includes the remains of an old stone pit, the project flaunts exquisite panoramas of the city and is based on a trio of parcels. One of the parcels supports a series of green terraces, the second comprises the ground floor of the main building while the third is located below the slope and incorporates the rest of the garden.


Featuring a blend of traditional and contemporary design features, the Edge House was put together following strict local code requirements that dictate mandatory eaves and a minimal roof angle pitch of 37 degrees. The residence is meant to be inhabited by a single family and features a dramatic front elevation that overhangs at a height of 26 feet. The materials used for the various finishes include graphite skate stones, copper sheets, glazed surfaces and wood for the window frames.

From the architect:

8 meters high limestone crag, the remainder of an old stone pit, creates the character of the parcel, which is additionally emphasized by a very interesting panoramic view on the hills surrounding the city. The parcel consists of three levels: the level of green terraces created by means of the building’s project, the arms which create it, parcel where the building’s ground floor is located and parcel below the scarp, where the rest of the garden is.

On the ground where the building was built, very restrictive regulations have to be obliged,which determine aesthetics and parameters of newly built constructions, i.a. minimal roof pitch angle of 37 degrees, obligatory eaves etc., which were both obstacles and inspirations in the phase of creating the concept.

A three storey, single family house was designed with total space of 860 m2. The house was meant to be modern, but not deprived of connections to traditional forms. It was meant to be a hybrid of traditional building, built in accordance with law, and of modern, timeless architectural form.

Context is a very important criterion for a building. The building strikes roots into 8 meters high rocky scarp, towering above the ground with stony roof closed in uniform form, which is pierced by modern, linear, white elements. White, softly drawn arms unfold the plain terrain, forming the remaining part of the building’s cubature, penetrating its centre, creating numerous terraces and half-open interiors, finally overhanging stony crag. The overhang is created by spacious, white terrace, completed with dynamic, sharp edge and firmly slanted glass balustrades.

Soft lines of the white arms of the building from the side of the garage form a closed space of the entrance to the house, from the other side they create swimming-pool space with SPA area, which is opened to the garden. The two parts mentioned before creating the functions of the house join together by means of 18 m long footbridge, overhanging the half-open atrium terrace.

The concept of the building is based on, i.a. optimal integration of the living space into the terrain. By such actions, the building becomes multidimensional. External structure of the building together with the interior forms many half-open interiors and openings which enlarge and diversify living space of the house. Second distinctive feature of the building is its front elevation which overhangs 8 meters high scarp. Cantilever overhanging white frame, piercing stony, graphite block, is completed with dynamic, Sharp edge.

Finishing materials used in the realization include graphite skate stones, wood, copper sheet metal tecu in two colours – green and grey, wooden windows with large, glazed surface. The building was equipped with ventilation system, air conditioning and building automation system.

Architect In Charge: Przemek Olczyk
Interior Design: Monika Kozlowska
Area: 860.0 sqm
Year: 2013
Photographs: Pawel Ulatowski

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