Villa Horizon Función primaria: Residencia privada by Przemysław Cepielik

Villa Horizon Función primaria: Residencia privada by Przemysław Cepielik is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Bronce in Deseño de Arquitectura, Edificación e Estruturas Competition Category.

BronceArquitectura· 2026

Villa Horizon Función primaria: Residencia privada

by Przemysław Cepielik

Client: Eklekt Atelier

A' Design Award de Bronce Winner in Arquitectura Category

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The Design

About Villa Horizon Función primaria: Residencia privada

Texto do libro: Villa Horizon é unha residencia privada contemporánea organizada arredor dunha piscina cuberta que constitúe o centro arquitectónico da casa. Situada nunha base de pedra, a piscina crea un eixe horizontal que conecta o acceso de entrada co xardín privado. Por riba, un pavillón elevado alberga os principais espazos de estar e ábrese cara a vistas panorámicas de Cracovia e as montañas que a rodean. O deseño equilibra solidez e transparencia a través dunha clara composición de dous niveis, combinando a precisión estrutural cunha forte conexión entre o interior e a paisaxe.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronce

Villa Horizon Función primaria: Residencia privada gañou o A' Design Award de Bronce, un recoñecemento altamente prestixioso outorgado a deseños sobresaíntes que se distinguen pola creatividade, o enxeño e a sagacidade. Os gañadores Bronce son artefactos amplamente hábiles e sorprendentemente creativos que autentican a vasta experiencia, imaxinación e enxeño dos seus deseñadores. Espérase que Villa Horizon Función primaria: Residencia privada sexa un obxecto moi apreciado, admirado e querido, notablemente profesional e innovador. Este deseño gañador do A' Design Award de Bronce incorpora as mellores prácticas da arte, a ciencia, o deseño e a tecnoloxía, e é excelente pola súa atención ao detalle. Villa Horizon Función primaria: Residencia privada satisfai espléndidamente as necesidades, toca os desexos, encanta os sentimentos e atrae a curiosidade.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Villa Horizon is composed of two clearly defined volumes: a solid stone base and a light upper pavilion. The lower level is set into the terrain and contains the indoor pool positioned along the main axis of the house. The water surface is visible from both the entrance driveway and the private garden, creating a visual connection across the plot. Above, the elevated pavilion opens toward wide panoramic views through generous glazing, combining weight and lightness in a balanced composition.
Dimensions & Packaging: Total Area: 564 sqm
Location: Krakow Poland
Design Year: 2024
Status: In Development

The house is organized into two functional layers.
Ground Level includes indoor pool, cinema room, guest suite, entrance hall and garage integrated into the terrain.
Upper Level contains living, dining, kitchen and sleeping areas oriented toward panoramic views.
The central water axis remains visible from both driveway and garden fronts.
Tags: residential architecture, contemporary villa, horizontal architecture, panoramic residence, indoor swimming pool, sectional design strategy, landscape integration, stone and glass architecture, elevated pavilion house
Production Technology: The lower level is built in reinforced concrete and finished with natural stone, allowing the house to merge with the terrain while enclosing the pool within a controlled thermal environment. Particular attention was given to moisture management and structural coordination. The upper level uses a steel reinforced frame with large span glazing. The structure was carefully optimized to maintain slender proportions while ensuring stability and durability.
Design Challenge: The key challenge was to achieve a strong horizontal presence without visual heaviness. Integrating the indoor pool within the structural base while keeping visual continuity between driveway and garden required careful sectional planning. Long structural spans in the upper pavilion were refined to maintain clarity and efficiency.
Research: Type of Research: Architectural spatial investigation.
Objective: To explore horizontal composition through sectional strategy while integrating an indoor pool as a spatial axis.
Methodology: Site analysis, view studies, proportional modeling and structural span optimization.
Result: A two volume system combining grounded mass with elevated transparency.
Impact: Demonstrates how a clear sectional concept can integrate wellness functions without disturbing the landscape.
Inspiration: The project originated from the decision to position an indoor swimming pool at the core of the house. Due to climatic conditions in Krakow and the family background in pool construction, water became the main architectural generator. The limited plot offered panoramic views, leading to the suspension of the main living level above the pool to maximize exposure toward the city and distant mountains.
Project Duration: The project started in 2024 in Krakow Poland. It is currently in development with ongoing architectural and structural coordination.
Operation Flow: The house is experienced through vertical movement. Entry takes place at ground level, where the indoor pool forms the central organizing element. Circulation unfolds around the water core, linking entrance and garden. Moving upward, the atmosphere shifts from enclosure to openness, ending in unobstructed views over Krakow and the surrounding landscape.
Team Members: Designer: Przemysław Cepielik
Designer: Kinga Krakowska
Visualizer: George Ryabinin
Image Credits: Image #1: Eklekt Atelier, Villa Horizon, 2024.
Image #2: Eklekt Atelier, Villa Horizon, 2024.
Image #3: Eklekt Atelier, Villa Horizon, 2024.
Image #4: Eklekt Atelier, Villa Horizon, 2024.
Image #5: Eklekt Atelier, Villa Horizon, 2024.