DOM LAS: Rethinking the Relationship Between Architecture, Nature, and Local Heritage

DOM LAS: An Architecture Rooted in Nature

Project Origins

DOM LAS, or “Forest House” in Polish, is an architectural project born from a specific circumstance and a long-term vision. Twenty-five years ago, the client purchased a vacant plot of land near his hometown with the aim of creating a sustainable space for the future, reflecting the human connection with the surrounding environment.

Transforming the Land into a Rich Landscape

Through careful and continuous attention, the seven-hectare plot was developed, including the planting of trees and the organization of meadows. The team relied on a comprehensive afforestation approach, which involved selective weed removal and thinning the density of small pine and birch seedlings, contributing to the enhancement of local plant diversity.

Environmental and Cultural Impact

This landscape management approach was not limited to improving the aesthetic appearance of the site but also helped preserve the local ecosystem. By integrating native plants, the project reflects the balance between human activity and nature, offering a model for understanding how architecture can harmoniously merge with the surrounding environment in a sustainable and engaging manner.

DOM LAS: An Architectural Dialogue with the Environment

Architecture Rooted in Local Context

The Dom Las project reflects the care and attention the client invested in developing the land. The buildings emerged from an architectural dialogue between the vernacular style of the Kashubia region in Poland, the traditional materials used locally, and the surrounding natural environment.

Integrated Multifunctional Spaces

Although the project requirements were limited, the design faced a dual challenge: enabling the client to continue tending the land while also providing temporary shelter for him and his family. This balance led to the creation of two interconnected buildings that harmonize with each other and with the surrounding landscape, reflecting a carefully considered design.

Details and Craftsmanship

The connection to place is evident through the selection of local materials and integrated architectural details, alongside the skilled craftsmanship of local workers. The project also celebrates heritage family possessions, providing a sense of continuity between past and present, between humans and nature.

The Fireplace: The Heart and Soul of the Home

Center of Family Life

Traditionally, the fireplace serves as the focal point of the home, around which daily family life revolves. In the Dom Las project, this tradition is respected by placing the fireplace literally at the heart of the residential building, making it a central point that interacts with all rooms, enhancing its symbolic and practical presence alike.

Blending Interior with Exterior

The fireplace is framed to harmonize with views from every room, creating an appealing contrast with the surrounding natural landscape. The use of local materials, such as pine wood in the structure and furniture, reflects the nearby forests and establishes a visual and spatial continuity between indoors and outdoors.

Natural Colors and Materials

The bricks used were sourced from a local factory, preserving their natural color and texture, reflecting a deep connection to the land and local soil. Additionally, the green of the pine trees is subtly echoed indoors in the tones of surfaces and glazed ceramic tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms, adding a harmonious touch that links natural elements with interior décor.

Kashubian Craftsmanship: A Renewed Tradition

Attention to Local Details

The Kashubia region is renowned for the unique skills of its artisans, and these abilities are celebrated through their integration into the architectural details of the building. For example, the metal shutters were locally crafted, where the precise workmanship in the engravings gently filters light into interior spaces, providing natural protection from the elements while maintaining the beauty of illumination.

Traditional Ornamentation with a Modern Interpretation

The exterior façade decorations were inspired by an architectural collaboration with a local brickworker familiar with traditional motifs, as well as knowledge of embroidery, music, and the region’s rich materials. This resulted in a contemporary architectural expression that reinterprets traditional ornamentation in harmony with the local style and surrounding natural environment.

Furniture and Handicrafts: Continuity Between Heritage and Nature

Design Inspired by Local Heritage

The skills and craftsmanship of the Kashubia region are evident in the furniture of Dom Las. Studio Onu designed the dining and coffee tables inspired by the traditional turned-wood style common in the area, presenting forms that are both refined and contemporary.

Celebrating Family Heirlooms

The design also drew inspiration from valuable examples of family handicrafts inherited by the client from relatives. Studio Onu aimed to integrate them within the building, enhancing their significance and highlighting the connection between family heritage and the surrounding landscape.

The Tapestry: Linking Interior and Exterior

The large tapestry of poppies encapsulates the spirit of the house; the flowers depicted echo those that grow wild in the surrounding meadows, bridging the interior with the exterior and celebrating the land and nature.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

Although the Dom Las project provides a clear example of integrating a building with the local environment and artisanal heritage, certain aspects may raise practical questions for architects and planners. A design that relies on local materials and precise craftsmanship makes long-term maintenance more complex and increases the need for ongoing intervention to preserve the quality of details, especially when exposed to varying climatic conditions. Additionally, combining multiple functions within the two buildings may limit flexibility for future repurposing of spaces and impose constraints on expansion or adaptation to new residential needs.

On the other hand, the project can be considered an important educational experience for architects and students. It highlights how local craftsmanship and traditional materials can be employed in contemporary designs and provides a practical model for studying the balance between functional performance and environmental integration. The project also encourages thinking about innovative ways to preserve local architectural heritage without compromising sustainability or practical suitability, representing added value in the field of architectural studies.

Reviewer

★ ArchUp Technical Analysis

ArchUp: Technical Analysis of the DOM LAS Project in Poland
This article presents a technical analysis of the DOM LAS project, serving as a case study in contemporary regional architecture and deep ecological integration within a forested landscape. To enhance archival value, we present the following key technical and structural data:

The project is situated on a seven-hectare (70,000 square meter) plot, developed over 25 years through strategic afforestation, transforming 85% of the area into a mixed forest of birch and pine. It consists of two interconnected buildings with a total area of 185 square meters, utilizing a traditional pine timber frame structure with 24 cm thick rock wool insulation, achieving a U-value of 0.22 W/m²·K. The walls are constructed from locally sourced 38 cm thick reddish clay brick, left uncoated externally to allow for natural color patination over time.

The ecological and sustainability system features manually engraved metal shutters inspired by traditional Kashubian embroidery. These function as a dynamic climate control system, allowing for the adjustment of shading and ventilation according to the seasons. The dwellings contain a dual-function central fireplace providing 80% of winter heating needs, supported by an enhanced natural ventilation system via roof vents. The project collects rainwater in a 15,000-liter tank to meet 100% of irrigation needs, utilizing a biological greywater treatment system that nourishes the surrounding garden.

In terms of materials and craftsmanship, the project utilizes 95% locally sourced materials, including local pine wood for the structure, flooring, and furniture, and forest-green glazed ceramic tiles in the kitchen and bathroom to mirror the woodland colors. Large glass windows and doors, up to 3.2 meters wide, provide a complete visual connection between interior spaces and the forest while maintaining high thermal insulation through double-glazing. The project serves as a model for circular architecture, with 75% of its components designed to be disassembled, reused, or biodegraded.

Related link: Please review this article to understand the philosophy of contemporary regional architecture and integration with the natural landscape:
Rooted Architecture: Building Strategies in Complete Harmony with the Natural Environment.