COTTAGE INSPIRED BY A SHIP CABIN || An Idyllic Weekend Waterfront Hideaway
On the rare occasions when I have some time to spend in a waterfront setting, I dream of one day kicking back in my own cozy waterfront cottage.
This is why when I came across this project by Prodesi/Domesi, I had to share this tranquil haven with our readers. Concealed by sunburned larch planks and nestled amongst the greenery above Vranov Dam, the small cottage offers a surprisingly large interior space. There’s room enough for the owners and also for visitors.
The owner had inherited the cottage from his grandfather and approached Prodesi/Domesi with a specific assignment - he wanted a wood cottage built on the existing foundations which would have everything that today's modern timber buildings allow for, and which would become a comfortable haven for his family on weekends and holidays. The architects had to deal with the forest land and also with the floor plan of the original cottage they had to stick to while constructing the new timber construction.
Family cabin outfitted with modern design details nestled within the green expanse of the forest.
Travelling home in a row boat would be a nice daily adventure.
While the exterior of the cottage looks modest and functional, the interior is modern and spacious and meticulously designed to utilize every inch of space.
The cottage offers plenty of room for social gatherings, such as the open dining area with an idyllic view of the water. Inconspicuous storage spaces are thoughtfully integrated into every nook and corner to maximize the use of space, just like one would expect inside of a ship cabin where everything has its place.
The entryway has a long bench for guests to transition from the crisp autumn air to the warmth of the indoors, with jacket knobs on the walls as well as a storage closet in the corridor to store extra items.
The entry area is outfitted with jacket hooks and a bench for guests to settle in.
The open kitchen and dining area enjoys wraparound views of the beautiful nature scene.
The interior surrounded by spruce wood makes for a cozy, intimate living space, and this is complemented by the abundance of natural light coming in from the large windows. The design utilizes thoughtful details such as thin slits cut into the wall of the stairway to illuminate the walkway to the attic instead of using additional hanging fixtures and lights.
Creative slits in the wall draw in light to ensure the enclosed staircase isn’t void of light.
“We took a reverse approach when designing the upstairs. First, we created the necessary spaces for bedrooms and after that we “cut off” the exceeding part of the roof, so that the house would be as small as possible. Our goal was to design a building that humbly integrates into the green slope above the water with mostly modest old cottages.”
The roof is pitched at unique angles in each of the rooms to create a unique yet cozy feeling in each of the resting quarters.
To make the most of the view and to frame it as if it were a beautiful painting, the windows in the guest and master bedroom are square with thick frames, giving the illusion of an artwork frame. Indeed, the lush greenery and tranquil water view beyond is a lovely portrait of mother nature.
The asymmetrical angle of the roof makes for another interesting detail to the home and gives it a more welcoming, almost lived-in look and feel. Contrasted against the perfect square that is the window, the different slanted angles of the roof seem to introduce the perfect imperfection to the interiors.
The square windows with a thick frame doubles as a picture frame to capture the picture-perfect scenery outside.
One can imagine waking up to the first rays of sunshine climbing up the bed covers, and lazily throwing off the covers and padding down the stairs to brew a hot cup of coffee. That sounds like the perfect slow start to the day, wouldn’t you agree?
The perfect spot to relax while on a getaway — in the middle of nowhere.
PROJECT DETAILS
Studio Prodesi/Domesi
Author
Klára Vratislavová, lead architect, interior design
Pavel Horák, lead architect
Design Team Jan Švarc
Project Location Vranov nad Dyjí
Project Country Czech Republic
Completion Year 2021
Built-up Area 43 m²
Usable Floor Area 65 m²
Photographer BoysPlayNice
Collaborator Building company: Domesi
