House K2

Architects: Pauliny Hovorka Architekti
Location: Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
Architect In Charge: Branislav Hovorka, Martin Paulíny
Collaborators: Zuzana Reháková
Area: 1,086 sqm
Year: 2013

From the architect. A family house named K2 was built in the village of Kyncelova nearBanska Bystrica. On the neighbouring site, there is a house called “Dom Zlomu” which was also designed by our studio. The K2 House is occupied by an elderly couple whilst the neighbouring house which was built earlier is occupied by their children and grandchildren. Multiple generations can thus enjoy privacy of their own living space whilst sharing common external areas. While designing the K2 House, the aim was not to create a supplement to an earlier built construction but a fully-fledged house with an independent and tailored concept. When designing K2, we considered the shape of the terrain and owners’ requirements and decided for a spatial concept of the construction rising in the terrain, in the direction from the street to the garden. This concept is reflected in the interior layout with two one-flight staircases which bridge the difference in elevation between the street side entrance area and the garden part of the lot, forming three independent levels. Stair flights are clearly expressed in the outer dynamic shape of the building creating its untypical form when viewed from the street. The division of the building into three levels allows to meet the client´s requirement to separate thoroughly the study room from the main living area of the house making it sound-proof and independent as it is often used as a guest room.