House by the Pond
In a hamlet in a region known for its castles and rustic architecture stands a charming little house.
And while this may feel like the beginning of a fairytale, the house is indeed very real. House by the Pond is a small and compact home set in the beautiful countryside of South Bohemia in Czech Republic.
The design brief given to BOQ Architects was to design a small home from which the family could enjoy views of the pond and its surroundings. The house is designed as a simple structure with a gabled roof covering one part of it. A glazed facade opens up the house to the surrounding views, while letting light filter through. To allow for comfortable living in the small footprint, the house is designed with a loft under the gabled roof. The loft space is turned into a spacious bedroom, with the rest of the living spaces on the ground level. The bedroom is a peaceful room in white, and is also furnished with a desk facing the view outside. A window on the roof makes the space more open, while making it easy to wake up with sun.
The ground level houses the living room, dining area and kitchen, along with a bathroom and sauna to the side. With a double height ceiling, the living room uses light colored furniture against white walls to make a comfortable light filled space. The kitchen and dining area are located below the loft, and are designed in a grey and light wood color scheme. A glass door on one side and a storage space in white on the other allows the space to look larger than it is. On to the side, the bathroom is a luxurious design in a predominantly grey color scheme. The grey rock like finish on the tiles gives it a modern yet nature inspired look. Large windows facing the pond continue the views from the sauna.
Outside, the entrance to the house features a wooden deck with a bench. The bench becomes a spot to take in the view and enjoy lively conversations. A firepit with a curved stone bench in the garden provides a meditative ambience that can be relished in every season.
The natural aesthetic of the garden continues onto the exterior wall facing the driveway, which is clad in stone. The cladding provides the perfect backdrop for a small rock garden in the driveway. The house with white plastered exterior walls, an anthracite galvanized sheet metal roof and wood-aluminum doors and windows, stands pretty against its backdrop. Its minimal design doesn’t take away from the natural setting, and instead acts as yet another beautiful element.
Photo Credit Tomas Dittrich tomasdittrich.com