FARM RENOVATION
An unusual design project that changes over time, modified as the Investors gain experience living in and discovering the shortcomings and positives of an old farm hidden somewhere in the depths of Kashubia, with a beautiful view of the hilly landscape. The project consists of an old barn, a residential house with only the ground floor finished, and surroundings consisting of a small pond, high and low greenery, and an orchard.
At the beginning, the design task was only roughly outlined and consisted of a new arrangement of the house, ground floor, and unused attic, based on the structural possibilities of making changes within reasonable budgetary limits. Initially, the barn, apart from needing repairs and structural adjustments to stabilize it, did not have a defined new function.
During the ideation and design work on the barn, together with the Investors, the object gained the function of a summer kitchen and meeting space, and in the winter, a garage and storage space for equipment and devices. The masonry part of the barn, on the other hand, was to be adapted as a sanitary facility and pantry with a natural refrigerator and food storage.
Due to the condition of the house’s structure, the new arrangement had to be limited, which, however, did not prevent significant changes in the functional scheme and better utilization of the plan’s orientation towards the direction of sunlight, as well as scenic openings or relationships with the surroundings, communication routes, etc. After the changes, the ground floor will consist of an entrance hallway with a staircase leading to the usable attic. This hallway will lead to a guest room, bathroom, living room, and a spacious home office. The living room, in turn, connects with the kitchen and dining room.
The color composition is created by the natural color of wood in two shades: a lively, natural one ranging between a sandy and delicate orange hue on the one hand, and a subdued, patinated, grayish hue resembling wood exposed to prolonged exposure to sunlight and atmospheric conditions, on the other. These two or rather three shades of wood, including the burnt, black one used to make some furniture, are complemented by an ashen floor, broken white walls enriched with an uneven surface structure, and gray sofa upholstery. The role of accents is played by details in black, furniture made of the aforementioned burnt wood, and seats with lively, orange upholstery. The structural elements supporting the ceiling in the place of demolished walls are masked by wooden beam covers, which, in addition to their masking function, also serve as an element that optically shortens the elongated living room passage. The newly designed windows, both in the living room and in the home office, are designed to let in more light and provide scenic views of the hilly landscape surrounding the farm from the south side.
The previously unused attic has obtained a new arrangement and division of space, consisting of two comfortable and spacious bedrooms and a bathing salon. This salon, equipped with a panoramic window located near the bathtub, also has two sinks and a shower cubicle.
Project: 2021-2023;
Status: under construction;
House usable surface: approx. 175m2;
Location: Kaszuby (Cashubian district), Poland;
Designed by: architect Andrzej Niegrzybowski
