Cabin under the Birch trees
In the upper reaches of Bílý Potok, where civilization ends and the wilderness of the Jizera Mountains Beech Blooms begins, a project is taking shape that pays architectural homage to the surrounding peaks. The Cabin under the Birch trees is more than just a building, it is an observatory whose primary curator is the monumental silhouette of the Frýdlant Battlements.
Location:
Bílý Potok, Czech Republic
Client:
Private
Status:
Under construction
Project year:
2022
Completion year:
2026
Built-up area:
150 m²
Architects:
Filip Cerha, Marina Pyzhianova, Jan Vondrák, Jan Mach
Design engineer:
Mjölking s.r.o.
General contractor:
1ku1 s.r.o.
Landscape architecture:
Partero
Two Worlds
The design comprises two clearly defined volumes engaged in a quiet dialogue. Their placement on the plot creates a sheltered patio paved with traditional granite cobblestones, which seamlessly transitions into a mountain meadow dotted with fruit trees.
The ground level of the main cabin, finished in a coarse white render, evokes stability and shelter. It houses a generous living space that can be completely opened to the surrounding garden via large-format windows and dark wooden shutters. Beneath the pitched roof, the upper floor conceals the private realm—a master bedroom with a study alongside children's bedrooms, whose windows frame views of the granite massifs like living paintings.
"Where birches mirror the stream's pale glow, and mountains stand guard below."
Jan Mach a Jan Vondrák
Authors
A subtle timber-framed outbuilding with a facade of charred black wood stands in close proximity. Conceived as a guest retreat or a space for regeneration, its ground floor accommodates a sauna and a compact living area, while the attic offers a cozy sleeping loft. A distinctive circular window set into the door acts as a delicate accent, softening the building's rigorous geometry.
Material Honesty
The project plays with the contrast between black and white, wood and stone. While the main house's pale facade references both the village’s name (Bílý Potok = White Brook) and the bark of the surrounding birch trees, the black guest house dissolves into the deep shadows of the forest. This is architecture that draws attention not through noise, but through its authenticity and humility toward the panorama of the Jizera Mountains.
