Exploring a Floating Monolith in the Hills of Poland

K.W.K. Proms designed Konieczny's Ark as a response to a difficult mountain landscape in southern Poland, where the steep terrain and unstable soil became the starting point of the entire architectural idea. Rather than forcing the building into the hill, the house adapts itself to the site, almost like a structure carefully placed above the landscape instead of resting heavily on it. From a distance, the long concrete form appears suspended over the slope, quietly framing the surrounding mountains and forests. The project began with a simple intention, to preserve the panoramic view visible from the property. Because of that, the architects developed a one-story layout stretched horizontally across the site, allowing nearly every interior space to face the same direction toward the mountains. Instead of creating separated viewpoints, the house works like a continuous observation deck, where the landscape becomes part of daily life. Large openings along the facade blur the boundary between interior and exterior, making the scenery feel constantly present. One of the most unusual aspects of the house is the way it touches the ground. Due to concerns about landslides in the region, the structure was designed almost like a bridge supported by three concrete walls. Much of the volume extends outward over the slope, allowing rainwater and natural ground movement to continue beneath the building. This approach minimizes interference with the terrain, while also giving the house a dramatic floating appearance when viewed from below. As the architects continued refining the design, the form gradually started resembling an arc resting on the hillside, which eventually inspired the project's name. The sharply angled roof was not simply a stylistic gesture, but also a response to local regulations and the realities of mountain weather. Its inverted geometry creates a strong silhouette while helping the building feel lighter against the steep landscape. The roofline also enhances the sensation that the house is hovering above the terrain rather than sitting heavily on it. Approaching the house feels intentionally controlled and almost cinematic. Because the site is isolated and surrounded by wilderness, security became an important consideration in the design. Instead of traditional fencing or visible barriers, the architects created a large, movable wall that functions both as a protective shutter and as part of the entrance sequence. When closed, the house appears almost sealed and monolithic. When opened, the entrance transforms into a bridge-like stair connecting the elevated interior with the landscape below. Inside, the atmosphere is minimal yet deeply connected to nature. Concrete surfaces dominate the interior, continuing the material language of the exterior shell. Rather than covering the structure with decorative finishes, the architects allowed the poured concrete to remain visible, exposing the raw texture and construction logic of the building. This creates interiors that feel quiet, durable, and closely tied to the rugged environment surrounding the house. Despite the strong concrete presence, the interiors never feel heavy because natural light constantly enters through expansive glazing facing the mountains. Throughout the day, sunlight moves softly across the exposed surfaces, changing the mood of the spaces hour by hour. The living areas remain visually open, while private rooms are positioned carefully within the elevated structure to maintain both privacy and uninterrupted views toward the distant landscape. The technical strategy of the house is also surprisingly straightforward. To reduce construction complexity and cost, insulation was placed on the interior side of the concrete walls, allowing the external concrete structure to remain exposed as the finished facade. This eliminated the need for additional cladding or layered exterior treatments. The result is a building that feels honest in its construction, where structure, material, and appearance are all directly connected. What makes this project especially interesting is how little it tries to dominate the land around it. Even the landscape design follows this philosophy. Instead of creating formal gardens or heavily designed outdoor areas, the architects decided to leave the site largely untouched. The mountain itself becomes the garden. Existing vegetation, rocks, and uneven terrain remain part of the everyday experience. Reinforcing the idea that More than a conventional mountain house, Konieczny's Ark feels like an architectural experiment shaped entirely by context. Every decision, from the suspended structure to the movable entrance wall and exposed concrete shell, grows directly from the conditions of the site itself. The result is a home that does not rely on luxury or excess, but instead creates a powerful atmosphere through proportion, restraint, and its constant relationship with the surrounding nature.