Hillside House by RS+ Robert Skitek: A Contemporary Barn-Inspired Home in the Rolling Landscape of Lesser Poland

Nestled in the idyllic countryside of Radziszów, in the Lesser Poland region, Hillside House by RS+ Robert Skitek is a masterful response to topography, climate, and rural context. Completed in 2022 and spanning 217 square meters, the house is perched on a small hill amid gently rolling landscapes and golden cornfields—a setting that defines both its spatial organization and architectural expression.

Harmonizing Architecture with Topography and Views

The architects made strategic use of the sloping site, positioning the home along the natural contours in the plot’s northern section. This siting maximizes exposure to sunlight while orienting the home’s main living spaces toward panoramic southern views. Floor-to-ceiling windows open up to the surrounding hills, seamlessly connecting the interiors with the vibrant outdoors and ensuring optimal solar gain throughout the day.

A Dual-Barn Composition Rooted in Tradition and Modernity

At first glance, Hillside House recalls the traditional barn structures typical of the Polish countryside. However, the design elevates these vernacular forms through a contemporary lens. The residence consists of two interlocking volumes, both resembling archetypal barns. These masses are subtly offset both vertically and horizontally, and slightly rotated to generate dynamic spatial interplay.

Externally and internally, these two volumes intersect and weave together, establishing a cohesive yet layered architectural identity. The material palette—comprising natural stone, timber cladding, and standing seam metal roofing—reinforces this sense of rustic refinement. The contrast between the heavy stone base and the lighter wooden upper volume accentuates the house’s stratified composition, anchoring it into the landscape while offering warmth and visual tactility.

Spatial Organization: Living, Resting, and Growing

The home is organized over two levels. The ground floor is dedicated to a bright and open day zone, which includes a living room, kitchen, and dining area. Large glazed openings face south, opening onto a terrace shaded by the cantilevered upper volume—creating a comfortable indoor-outdoor transition and shelter from summer sun.

The upper floor contains the night zone, including the main bedroom and a flexible children’s space currently designed as a shared room. This area has been thoughtfully planned for future adaptability: as the children grow older, the space can be divided into separate rooms, allowing the home to evolve with the family’s needs.

Natural Materials and Rural Integration

One of the house’s most striking features is its honest use of natural materials that reflect the surrounding environment. The facade’s subdued tones—from the earthy greys of the stone base to the warm wood and soft metallic hues of the roof—complement the site’s agricultural character.

Importantly, the landscaping was designed and implemented by the owners themselves. Their approach aimed to preserve the plot’s natural feel, reinforcing the home’s subtle integration into its rural surroundings. The result is a residence that feels both contemporary and timeless—innovative in design yet deeply respectful of place.

All Photographs are works of Tomasz Zakrzewski