In the exceptional context of the mountain village of Malá Úpa, we designed a house for friends that draws from historical constructions in the Krkonoše Mountains and utilizes centuries-old knowledge of mountain living, transforming it to meet the needs of contemporary housing.

The house was placed on a westward-sloping mountain meadow on the border ridge, confirming local customs in terms of distance from the road and orientation of the ridge. It is a shape citation of historical mountain houses, supplemented with contemporary architectural principles.

The house is designed with a simple shape, distinctly elongated and set on a solid base clad in local stone. The volume of the house above the stone base is covered in untreated wood, which changes its appearance over time, acquiring a silvery-gray color. Over time, white-painted slats covering the joints of the facade boards stand out as accents. This type of facade will endure for many years, even in the harsh conditions of the highest mountains.

The roof features a gable design covered with black-painted aluminum sheeting, from which two dormers emerge, set back from the gable ends. The smaller dormer facing the road is entirely finished with roof sheeting, while the larger dormer, oriented towards the view and providing light to the bedrooms, has its front facade clad in wood.

In the western part, the main volume of the house is expanded by a veranda, inspired by the extensions of historical cottages. The living veranda is partially covered with vertical slats at the facade level, creating a buffer between the interior and exterior and visually reducing the impact of the veranda's break. Extending from the veranda is a modern, steel, fully open terrace hovering above the surrounding terrain, supported by a pair of scattered legs. During extreme weather, when visibility is minimal, it becomes a commanding bridge in the middle of nowhere.

In contrast to the open facade with the veranda is the facade facing the road, to which the house is mostly closed off. This facade conceals all elements that are not meant to be highlighted, with the only prominent feature being a black entrance steel box that protects against direct weather exposure.

Through the entrance box, visitors enter the vestibule and then proceed into the house with a natural flow of rooms, where the spacious living area takes precedence. A staircase from the first floor leads to the basement, which houses a home wellness and sports area, and to the attic, which is dedicated to bedrooms.

The interior concept aligns with the modest character of the house, aiming to create a dignified space for the family to feel comfortable even during the worst mountain storms. The interior predominantly features wood, complemented by subtle muted colors and carefully selected artisanal and artistic elements.