Gold Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2023
Double Barn House
- A' Design Award 2023 Gold Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: A.P.A. Katarzyna Starzyk
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 42,930
- Verification code 4843990E22 · Verify this award
About Double Barn House
Double Barn is a contemporary house located in the suburbs of Warsaw, designed for a family of four. The challenge was to create a modern, yet timeless house design, referring to the traditional architecture of Mazovia and adapting to the context of nature. In order not to overwhelm the surrounding single-family housing with its size, the house was divided into two interconnected blocks. From the inside of the house, mainly bright elements of HPL boards are visible, which makes it feel cozy. At the same time, the dark façades made of graphite tiles blend the house into the surroundings.
The Double Barn House by Katarzyna Starzyk exemplifies a distinguished trajectory within contemporary residential architecture that seeks meaningful dialogue between vernacular building traditions and modernist spatial ambitions. The gabled form, an archetype deeply embedded in collective memory as symbol of shelter and domestic sanctuary, here receives sophisticated reinterpretation through the introduction of a fully glazed facade that transforms the traditional enclosed barn volume into a luminous pavilion mediating between landscape and inhabitation. The architect demonstrates exceptional command of material expression, juxtaposing the protective austerity of the dark metal exterior envelope with the warmth of exposed timber construction revealed through the transparent wall, creating what might be understood as an architectural metaphor for the relationship between public reserve and private warmth. The structural system of radiating timber rafters, visible through the glass, celebrates craft tradition while achieving contemporary spatial generosity, their rhythmic parallel lines creating visual music that guides the eye toward the peaked apex. The chromatic strategy proves particularly accomplished, establishing a dialogue between the cool blue-gray exterior tones that harmonize with twilight sky and surrounding pines, and the warm amber illumination that suffuses interior volumes with welcoming radiance. This thermal contrast in color temperature reinforces the experiential distinction between the protective outer shell and the nurturing domestic interior. The setting among mature pine trees suggests thoughtful site integration, positioning architecture as complement rather than imposition upon the natural environment. One might observe how the full-height transparency democratizes the experience of the timber structure, making legible the means of architectural support while creating visual connection between interior life and exterior landscape. The covered passage connecting to a secondary volume at right suggests programmatic complexity resolved through additive formal logic. Viewers are invited to contemplate how architecture might honor traditional building wisdom while embracing contemporary expectations of light, openness, and connection to nature.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The functional layout of the building has been divided into two interconnected blocks so that the size of the building does not disturb the landscape of small single-family houses. From the outside, both parts give the impression of two separate buildings. The graphite facade made of hand-formed brick refers to the dark pine trunks that grow in the area. The impression of the massiveness of the dark body is minimized by recesses finished with light wood-like boards.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Total floor: 351,61m2, Foot print: 272,82m2, Site area: 1373m2
- Tags
- Home, barn-house, modern barn, residence, detached house, Polish architecture
- Production Technology
- The facades were finished with graphite hand-formed tiles, while the recesses and arcades were covered with HPL boards in a shade of light wood. Thanks to such a procedure, mainly bright elements are visible from the inside of the house, which contributes to the impression of coziness. At the same time, the dark facades blend the house into the surroundings, giving priority to nature. To expose the rafters inside the house, the roof was insulated with PIR boards laid on the rafters. Gutters and downpipes have been discreetly hidden in the roof and inside the exterior walls.
- Design Challenge
- The challenge was to shape the architecture in such a way that it would not overwhelm the surrounding small single-family housing with its size. Hence the idea of dividing the house into two blocks and referring to the traditional buildings of Mazovia. It is a modern approach to a traditional design.
- Project Duration
- Design work lasted from 2018 to 2019. Construction work began in 2019 and was completed in 2022. The house was built in the Polish village of Komorow Wies, surrounded by forests, meadows and a river.
- Operation Flow
- From the street, the building has few windows, thanks to which it provides intimacy to the residents. The main entrance leads through a glass hall overlooking the garden to a two-story living room. Large windows are oriented to the south-west side of the plot. Stairs lead to the parents' area with a hobby room and a master bedroom. Then, through the passage, to the second block containing the children's zone (rooms, bathroom, hobby room), which has been clearly separated from the parents' zone.
- Research
- Double Barn is a designer house, but at the same time durable and timeless, because it is firmly rooted in local tradition and adapted to the context of nature.
- Inspiration
- The house for a family of four is located on the suburbs of Warsaw, surrounded by scattered single-family housing. The area is sparsely urbanized and the neighboring buildings are very diverse without a predominant style. A question arose, what is the regional architecture of Mazovia and how to find it in this environment? The aim was to settle the project in the context of the region, respecting its tradition, but in a modern version.
- Image Credits
- Photo credit: Piotr Krajewski
- Patents
- A.P.A. Katarzyna Starzyk
Colors of Double Barn House
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G0E23 ShopGrand Interview about Double Barn House
To ensure the building’s scale respected the landscape of small single-family homes in the immediate vicinity, we conceived the idea of dividing the structure into two interconnected blocks. This approach not only helped to harmonize the house with its surroundings but also allowed it to integrate seamlessly into the existing tree cover. Externally, the two blocks give the impression of separate buildings connected at the ground and first-floor levels. However, their placement is deliberate—carefully informed by the surrounding landscape, sun orientation, and functional requirements.
The decision to angle one block slightly relative to the other created a dynamic interplay between the two forms, energizing the overall composition. This arrangement was also guided by practical considerations—angling one block toward the gate improved access to the three-car garage. This layout naturally resulted in a welcoming entrance courtyard on the east side and a private garden on the southwest side. Generous glazing on the south and west-facing facades ensures optimal energy efficiency, while overhanging roof slopes and existing greenery provide natural shading to prevent overheating in the summer.
The design process emphasized the relationship between people, nature, place, history, and tradition. This approach stemmed from a deep exploration of the cultural context while simultaneously seeking a contemporary architectural expression. By drawing on the simplicity of Mazovian rural architecture—characterized by rectangular plans and symmetrical gabled roofs—we created a design that respects the region's traditions while reimagining them in a modern, timeless form. The result is a building that feels both deeply rooted in its context and forward-looking in its design language.
The building’s facades are clad in graphite cement tiles, chosen for their rustic texture, which evokes the organic unevenness of tree bark and enables the house to blend naturally with its surroundings. This darker material is complemented by light, wood-like HPL panels in recessed areas, softening the visual mass of the structure and adding a sense of warmth and coziness, especially from the interior perspective. The use of composite panels with a riffled texture on the gable walls and entrance area further enhances the tactile and visual appeal, creating a harmonious dialogue between the house and its environment.
The design carefully considered the neighboring single-family homes to ensure the house would not overpower the local architectural context. By dividing the structure into two barn-inspired blocks, we achieved a form that aligns naturally with the scale and rhythm of the rural landscape. This thoughtful division allowed the project to harmonize with its surroundings while retaining its own architectural identity.
The interior layout was designed to balance shared family spaces with private areas tailored to each household member. The parents’ zone occupies the mezzanine floor in one block, including a hobby room and master bedroom. The children’s zone is housed in the second block, featuring a playroom, twin bedrooms with mezzanines, a shared bathroom, and storage. A connecting link bridges the two zones, with the staircase positioned to provide direct access to both areas. This layout fosters interaction while offering privacy and independence, with the staircase itself serving as a sculptural feature that enhances both the interior and exterior design.
In the “Double Barn” project, the goal was to trigger similar emotions to those of being in nature, being in the woods. The key assumption I made for the project was the interpenetration of the interior of the house with the surrounding nature. This effect was achieved thanks to huge glazing. The garden even penetrates into the interior of the house, while in the evening, especially with the light turned on inside, the glazing of the gable wall allows the structure of the house to be exposed outside, towards the terrace.
One major challenge was a discrepancy in the local zoning plan regarding the minimum plot size, which initially raised concerns about the property’s eligibility as a building site. Fortunately, the more favorable parameter prevailed, allowing the project to proceed. During the conceptual phase, relocating the children’s spaces above the garage helped distribute the house’s functional zones more evenly, while also creating a more intimate garden area on the plot’s southwestern side. These adjustments ultimately enhanced the project’s functionality and spatial dynamics.
Integrating hidden gutters and downpipes allowed us to maintain the minimalist form of the house and reinforce its modern character. By eliminating visible drainage elements, the elevations remain uniform and uncluttered, contributing to the overall sense of harmony and refinement.
The recognition of Double Barn House highlights the value of integrating modern architecture with regional traditions and natural surroundings. This project serves as a testament to the potential of blending contemporary design with cultural and environmental sensitivity. Its success inspires confidence in continuing to explore this balance, encouraging more projects that harmonize innovation with context, and persuading clients to invest in architecture that respects and enhances its environment.