ZROBIM architects, known for their advocacy of cubic formula minimalism, unveil the Matski House – a modern interpretation of fachwerk technology fused with traditional downshifting living. This house, devoid of fences and internal doors, boasts a staggering 65% of its structure in panoramic glazing, epitomizing a life lived boldly and transparently.
Matski House Technical Information
- Architects1: ZROBIM Architects
- Location: Matski, Belarus
- Area: 157 m2
- Project Year: 2019 – 2023
- Photographs: Courtesy of ZROBIM Architects
With 65% of panoramic glazing and no inside doors, this house is a manifest of exposed, brave life on stage, unique at this latitude.
– ZROBIM Architects
Matski House Photographs
Innovative Design and Harmonious Living
The Matski House is the brainchild of Andrus Bezdar, ZROBIM architects’ 33-year-old CEO. Bezdar’s journey to this architectural feat begins with a sentimental return to his great-grandfather’s roots north of Minsk. Here, he lays the foundation for his dream home, a dynamic space that evolves with the family’s needs, potentially expanding over time.
The house’s design departs from conventional structures, forgoing sloping roofs and massive beams for a more innovative approach. The exterior is characterized by a grid of frameless glazing, cleverly concealing the frame columns. This design choice creates a seamless, flat surface devoid of visible seams, blurring the lines between the indoors and the wild outdoors. The complex terrace system further enhances this effect.
The Matski House offers a unique living experience, where waking up to a swim in the pond or sitting by the fireplace is the norm. Bezdar emphasizes that the essence of the dwelling is not in its size, but in the quality of life it affords its occupants.
The site originally housed a landfill, which Bezdar transformed into two artificial ponds, revitalizing the area. He also tackled the challenge posed by the site’s elevation difference, creating a cantilevered house that extends 4.5 meters over the edge, adding a bold character to the structure.
Bezdar’s design respects the environment, planning to cultivate crops on the roof, where all necessary technical equipment is integrated. This initiative reflects a dedication to sustainable living and efficient space utilization.
With a south-west facing front predominantly made of panoramic glazing, the house is strategically positioned for optimal natural light and passive heating. The concrete floors and internal partitions enhance thermal inertia, maintaining a comfortable microclimate.
At its heart, the Matski House features a living nut tree in an atrium, visible from all rooms. The tree symbolizes life and change, echoing the cycles of nature. The house’s layout revolves around this atrium, allowing fluid movement and interaction with nature.
The house’s color scheme and material palette reflect a natural minimalism, with custom furniture and lighting adding a personal touch. The living spaces feature wooden plank ceilings, harmonizing with the monolithic arch concrete and polished metal.
Matski House Image Gallery
About ZROBIM Architects
ZROBIM Architects is an international architectural firm with a global presence, evidenced by their offices in key cities across the world including Minsk, Tbilisi, Warsaw, Kyiv, Almaty, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and New York.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Architects: Andrus Bezdar
