Banánka House: Where Minimalist Design Embraces Nature’s Embrace

Nestled on the tranquil outskirts of Banka, in a secluded valley where the hum of modern life fades into the gentle murmur of a flowing stream, sits Banánka House. Designed by Pauliny Hovorka Architekti, this family home is a masterclass in understated elegance, a harmonious response to its lush natural surroundings through a raw and honest palette of materials, a quietly confident horizontal form, and the crisp clarity of minimalist design. To reside here is to experience a profound connection between the crafted interior and the untamed beauty of the outdoors, a relationship forged primarily through expansive glazed walls that stretch along significant portions of the dwelling.

This connection isn’t a mere architectural flourish; it’s a way of life at Banánka. The sliding glass façade, seamlessly bridging the central living hall with the terrace and the garden area – complete with its own serene pond – is frequently drawn back throughout the extended summer months. This deliberate act allows the melancholic beauty of the rock garden, the gentle flow of the stream, the still surface of the pond, and the towering presence of the surrounding trees to permeate the interior, blurring the lines between the built and the natural.

The very name, “Banánka,” a local term for a female resident of Banka, speaks to the house’s deep connection to its location, a peaceful enclave characterised by established gardens and the organic arrangement of neighbouring homes. Access is via a narrow asphalt road that gradually gives way to a forest path, hinting at the secluded haven that awaits. A stream traces the property’s edge, bordered by a dense deciduous forest that acts as both a natural privacy screen and a vibrant green backdrop. The valley, relatively narrow along the plot’s longer sides, sees the forest rise steeply into the hills, while on the shorter sides, neighbouring houses remain discreetly veiled by mature garden vegetation. This former garden plot offered a rare and precious advantage: deep privacy amidst a tapestry of mature trees and established greenery.

The brief was clear: a single-storey home with a carport, inextricably linked to the garden, fostering an atmosphere of relaxation and contemplation, with a distinct separation between the parents’ and children’s private domains. Crucially, the house’s orientation had to maximise sunlight within the living spaces while preserving every existing tree on the site. The material selection underscores a commitment to natural elements – concrete, stone, wood, and glass – chosen for their inherent durability, longevity, and timeless appeal. The resulting Banánka House is a tranquil retreat, deeply immersed in its verdant embrace, perfectly embodying the initial vision.

The architectural solution manifests as a striking Y-shaped floor plan, with three wings extending outwards at precise 120-degree angles. This deliberate configuration was carefully orchestrated to avoid existing trees and, ingeniously, to divide the plot into more intimate garden segments, ensuring each room enjoys its own unique vista into a private corner of this natural sanctuary. The structure itself is both solid and expressive, featuring brushed board-formed monolithic concrete ceilings, robust concrete interior walls, and thoughtfully designed prefabricated parapet panels.

Enhancing the material concept, crushed stone encased in galvanised mesh gabions flows seamlessly from the exterior into the interior, creating a tactile and visually striking element. These are beautifully complemented by the warmth of wooden cladding, floors, and decking. The windows, framed with an almost imperceptible slimness, can be fully retracted into wall pockets, further maximising the visual and spatial dialogue with the outdoors. Even the doors are subtly integrated, hidden within cladding and plastered surfaces. Inside, the space is largely devoid of superfluous decoration, its character defined by bespoke, custom-built furniture, beds, and a modular sofa that offers adaptable configurations.

The internal layout mirrors the house’s distinctive three-winged form, all organised around a central living hall that serves as the home’s social heart. This arrangement ensures privacy for the main bedroom suite, complete with a wellness area, separating it effectively from the children’s and guest rooms. The north-facing wing, the smallest of the three, houses the entrance, practical storage, and utility rooms, with an extended roof providing both a carport and a covered entryway.

The southeast wing accommodates three smaller bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and a versatile multipurpose room, currently used as a study and meditation space. The southwest wing is dedicated to the master suite, featuring a serene bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe, a spacious bathroom, a separate WC, and a private sauna. The wellness area extends to a smaller terrace, complete with a relaxing hot tub and a refreshing cooling plunge pool, conveniently located adjacent to the gently flowing stream.

At the very heart of Banánka House lies the central living hall, a fluid space that seamlessly combines the kitchen, dining, and living areas, acting as the pivotal point connecting the two residential wings. One side of this vibrant hub houses the modern kitchen, while the other is dedicated to the comfortable living room, with the dining area situated centrally. A striking glass-enclosed wine room, meticulously cooled and designed for showcasing a curated collection, forms an integral part of the living area. Anchoring the space is a fireplace, featuring a substantial stone heat-retaining wall that adds both warmth and visual texture.

Expansive sliding glass walls allow this central hall to fully open onto the covered terrace, effortlessly merging the interior and exterior into a unified living experience. The terrace itself is equipped with a summer kitchen, complete with a grill, and an inviting outdoor dining area, thoughtfully oriented towards the tranquil garden, the shimmering pond, and the verdant forest beyond. Banánka House is more than just a dwelling; it’s an immersive experience in considered design and the beauty of natural integration.

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