Interior Design, Residential DesignFlorence LMarch 25, 2025Interior Design, Architecture, Slovakia

HOUSE WITH GILLS || A Striking Balance Between Privacy and Openness in Slovakia

Interior Design, Residential DesignFlorence LMarch 25, 2025Interior Design, Architecture, Slovakia

Sheltered yet open, private yet embracing—House with Gills thrives in paradox.

With walls that seem to inhale the landscape and exhale serenity, this architectural gem redefines the art of living with nature.

Designed by BEEF ARCHITEKTI, House with Gills is a masterclass in architectural adaptation. Its sleek contemporary form conceals an intricate interplay of light, privacy, and nature. Situated on the border of Bratislava, the residence embraces its surroundings while shielding itself from them, a delicate paradox that defines its essence.

*A dynamic façade of angled walls and bold overhangs shapes the House with Gills, balancing privacy with curated openness.*

A Living Envelope of Privacy and Transparency

Perched on a plot flanked by neighbouring developments, the house finds seclusion in a shell-like structure—angled walls that provide privacy without sacrificing openness. These architectural "gills" shield the home from prying eyes and shape dynamic interior perspectives, framing curated views of the surrounding gardens.

*A black steel staircase punctuates the home’s warm oak interiors, leading to a rooftop wellness pavilion.*

Inside, a lush central atrium acts as the green heart of the home, introducing an element of untamed nature that counterbalances the precision of the built environment. This open-air sanctuary functions as a visual and climatic moderator, bringing diffused daylight into the living spaces while enhancing natural ventilation.

Seamless Transitions and Passive Cooling

Beyond conventional indoor-outdoor living, the house blurs boundaries through its bold roof overhangs. These sweeping projections serve a dual purpose—offering deep shade in the summer while inviting warmth during winter. This passive climate strategy reduces reliance on artificial cooling and heating, embodying a sustainable approach without sacrificing aesthetic clarity.

*Generous glazing in the living area frames an immersive connection to the garden, reinforcing the home’s nature-first approach.*

From the kitchen, a panoramic view of the towering pines of the Záhorie region unfolds, grounding the house in its local landscape. Each bedroom, nestled within the protective angles of the exterior walls, enjoys its own secluded vista of the garden, reinforcing the dialogue between privacy and openness.

Materiality: A Textural Harmony

Material choices echo the home’s philosophy of organic sophistication. The façade, rendered in brushed organic plaster, lends a tactile depth, while oak floors and window frames introduce warmth against the stark architectural forms. Inside, travertine walls and floors heighten the home’s serene atmosphere, complemented by the bold contrast of painted metal cladding in the kitchen.

*The kitchen merges sculptural elements with natural textures, featuring oak cabinetry and bold metal accents.*

Beneath its quiet elegance, House with Gills is a study in balance—a retreat that invites nature in while maintaining a resolute sense of refuge. With a rooftop pavilion dedicated to wellness, complete with a view of the distant Pajštún Castle, the residence elevates everyday living into something poetic.