Family House Polánka by CL3 Studio: A Bold Minimalist Residence Rooted in Context

Located in Moravský Krumlov, the Family House Polánka by CL3 studio represents a striking example of modern residential architecture, where tradition meets bold contemporary expression. Completed in 2021, this 295 m² home reinterprets the archetypal rural house form while embracing minimalist design, passive house principles, and innovative material contrasts.

Designed under the leadership of Radek Pasterný, the project reflects a thoughtful architectural response to site history, sustainability, and spatial functionality.

Architectural Concept: Reinterpreting the Traditional House Archetype

The design of Family House Polánka is grounded in a respectful reinterpretation of the original house typology that once occupied the site. Rather than abandoning the past, the architects preserved the familiar form while transforming its visual language into a sharp, minimalist composition.

The structure embraces a simple gabled volume, but its execution is anything but conventional. The design introduces clean lines, geometric precision, and a restrained yet powerful architectural identity. This approach highlights how modern architecture can evolve from traditional forms without losing cultural context.

Striking Exterior: Black Facade and Symbolic Expression

One of the most defining features of this house is its bold black exterior, created using dark plaster and corrugated roofing. This monochromatic palette is not merely aesthetic, it carries symbolic meaning.

The architects describe the black color as representing a “void” or “hole”, referencing the absence left by the previously abandoned house. The new structure metaphorically fills this void, giving new life to the site while acknowledging its past.

Contrasting this dark envelope, recessed areas are clad in warm wooden paneling, softening the visual impact and emphasizing transitional zones between interior and exterior. This interplay of materials creates a dynamic facade composition, enhancing both depth and spatial perception.

Indoor-Outdoor Relationship: Privacy and Openness

The house presents a closed, almost introverted facade toward the street, ensuring privacy and a sense of enclosure. However, this contrasts dramatically with the garden-facing side, where large glass openings fully connect the interior with the landscape.

This design strategy enhances:

• Natural light penetration
• Visual continuity with the garden
• A seamless indoor-outdoor living experience

The result is a home that balances privacy, openness, and environmental integration, key elements in contemporary residential design.

Interior Design: Minimalism with Material Authenticity

Inside, the house continues its minimalist narrative through raw material expression and neutral tones. The interior palette is carefully curated to highlight the building’s structural honesty.

Key interior features include:

• Exposed concrete ceilings, emphasizing structural clarity
• Cement screed flooring, adding texture and durability
• White walls, creating a bright and neutral backdrop
• Custom-built furniture in white, maintaining visual consistency
• Solid oak elements, introducing warmth and contrast

This combination results in a balanced interior environment, where industrial materials meet natural textures, creating a refined yet comfortable living space.

Spatial Layout: Functional Zoning and Traditional Influence

The layout of Family House Polánka reflects traditional spatial organization adapted to modern living needs. The building is divided into two primary functional zones:

1. Residential Living Area – Designed for daily family life, emphasizing openness and connectivity
2. Drive-Through Garage with Attic – A practical addition that enhances functionality and storage

This zoning ensures efficient circulation while maintaining a clear distinction between utility and living spaces, a hallmark of well-planned residential architecture.

Construction and Materials: Durable and Sustainable Design

The house is built using a robust and energy-efficient construction system, combining modern materials with high-performance insulation techniques.

Construction highlights include:

• Concrete foundations and slab
• Sand-lime brick walls
• Reinforced concrete ceiling structure
• Wooden “I” truss roofing system

The building envelope is carefully insulated to meet passive house standards, ensuring optimal thermal performance throughout the year.

Sustainable Features: Passive House and Energy Efficiency

Family House Polánka integrates advanced sustainable architecture strategies, making it both environmentally responsible and energy-efficient.

Key sustainability features:

• Passive house insulation standards
• Ground-source (earth-water) heat pump system for heating and cooling
• Passive cooling during summer months
• Controlled mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (recuperation)

These systems significantly reduce energy consumption while maintaining high indoor comfort levels, demonstrating the potential of eco-friendly residential design.

Lighting and Detailing

The lighting design, developed by ATEH lighting, complements the architectural concept by enhancing material textures and spatial depth. Strategic lighting placement highlights the contrast between raw concrete, smooth white surfaces, and warm wood elements.

Attention to detail is evident throughout the project, from custom joinery to carefully integrated building systems, reinforcing the house’s cohesive design language.

 A Contemporary Home Rooted in Meaning and Performance

Family House Polánka by CL3 studio stands as a powerful example of modern minimalist architecture that respects tradition while embracing innovation. Through its bold black facade, symbolic design narrative, and sustainable technologies, the house successfully transforms a previously abandoned site into a functional, energy-efficient, and visually compelling home.

This project highlights how architecture can bridge past and present, creating spaces that are both meaningful and المستقبل-ready.

All photographs are works of  Tomáš Slavík