Casa De Mi Luna by Studio Circle Growth: A Harmonious Eco-House Overlooking Karlštejn Castle

Overlooking the breathtaking Berounka river valley and the iconic medieval Karlštejn Castle, Casa De Mi Luna is a nature-integrated family home designed by Studio Circle Growth. Situated at the edge of the protected Český kras Nature Reserve, the house embraces Czech vernacular architecture while introducing contemporary, sustainable design strategies.

A Context-Driven Architectural Approach

Casa De Mi Luna was commissioned by an Argentine-Czech family looking for a peaceful retreat from the bustling city of Prague. Due to its location within a protected heritage area, the house strictly follows local zoning and aesthetic regulations. Its modest silhouette reflects traditional Czech architecture—characterized by a symmetrical gabled roof, rounded eaves, and clay roof tiles (bobrovka). The façade combines lime-based render with natural larch wood cladding, harmonizing with the surrounding environment and local building traditions.

Open Interiors with Sculptural Geometry

In contrast to the historically influenced exterior, the interior layout is open, playful, and modern. A segmented, sculptural staircase is at the heart of the home, serving both functional and spatial roles. This dynamic architectural feature defines the ground floor zones and leads to a double-height landing on the upper floor. The house's open-plan living promotes visual connection and natural light flow between levels.

The upper floor consists of two symmetrical bedrooms with east and west orientations. Each room features arched ceilings, a result of a creative collar tie solution crafted from cut plywood, adding a sense of fluidity and craft to the structure.

Natural Materials & Passive Design

The house is constructed using prefabricated straw panels and timber framing. These Ecococon straw panels were rapidly assembled on-site and finished with natural clay plaster, offering high thermal mass and moisture regulation. The interior walls are coated with white kaolin clay stucco from the Czech brand Picas, applied over prefabricated clay boards mounted to timber slats. This combination enhances the building’s indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and sustainability profile.

Inside, the material palette is tactile and warm, dominated by pine plywood, wooden beams, and accents of blue, green, and terracotta tiles—nods to traditional Czech aesthetics. These locally sourced elements emphasize the project's low environmental impact and strong regional identity.

Heating with Heritage in Mind

At the core of the living space, a green-tiled fireplace acts as both a visual centerpiece and an efficient heating system. Inspired by historic Central European mass ovens, the fireplace heats water for radiant wall distribution. Warm water circulates through clay plaster-lined walls, creating a gentle radiant heat effect while leveraging the thermal mass of natural clay. This technique ensures even heating throughout the house and contributes to energy efficiency during cold seasons.

A Vertical Connection with Light

The central bay of the house is left open, visually and spatially connecting both levels while allowing sunlight to penetrate deep into the home. The open staircase, under the arched ceiling, becomes a symbolic and literal link between the private and communal zones. The arched structure, unique in its craftsmanship and engineering, transforms a structural necessity into an architectural highlight.

Casa De Mi Luna is a masterful balance of regional respect, sustainable innovation, and contemporary interior design. Studio Circle Growth demonstrates how ecological building techniques, natural materials, and local craftsmanship can converge in a modern residence that feels rooted in place and deeply responsive to its context.

All Photographs are works of Fredrik Frendin