In the deep forests of the Ore Mountains, on the Czech border of the Karlovy Vary region with Germany, a building emerges from the trees: it is the Nové Hamry weekend house, built by the architect David Zámečník and his studio NEW HOW.

Almost hidden among the trees, an aerodynamic but angular structure emerges, configured by the contemporary mix of various classic elements whose design reflects a clear inspiration from nature. Thus, the house rises to a great height, like a kind of “watchtower” that is paradoxically combined with the welcoming appearance of the building.
Nové Hamry's weekend home features a harmonious appearance that blends easily into the wooded setting, thanks to the choice of colors made by David Zámečník and his studio, NEW HOW. In it, we find a whole range of grays, inspired by the color of granite and basalt from the Erzgebirge; as well as in the very shadows of its trees, the trunks, and needles of its firs.

Its façade also recreates the rough surface of the wood; while its pronounced ceilings were designed to adapt the building to the different climatic conditions of the environment and its impressive winter snowfalls.

Regarding its interiors, the house has three different levels, energetically self-supplied. The highest serves as a study, library, and refuge; characterized by an imposing 2.5 m long window that elevates the place above the trees, clearing the landscape.

The second floor contains multiple rooms connected by an open gallery, which can accommodate at least ten people. The first level is functionally adapted as a space for rest and meeting. Soon, the house will be available to users throughout the year.
 

Description of project by NEW HOW

The house is only a few meters from the edge of the forest, from where it grows up towards the tops of spruces. Nestled among the trees, almost hidden compared to other white plaster houses next door, it almost looks as if it has been swallowed up by forests...

The design is based on the local nature and color, in which you can find all shades of gray. You can see gray in the shades of trees, in granite and basalt rocks, and even in the dark green needles and trunks of the local spruces, which are so typical of the forests of the Ore Mountains. From the beginning, it was clear that the facade and roof of the holiday home should be covered with aluminum in a similar dark color. The façade structure was used to create an intense rough surface that vaguely resembles oiled black wood and slow-growing spruce trunks. However, its color and surface are not the only striking aspects of this house.

From a formal point of view, the new building is represented by an aerodynamic but angular figure, where classic elements, such as the roof and the wall, give way to a clear shape and merge with each other. The appearance was created through many precisely set spatial scenes of the interior and on the basis of seasonally changing local climatic conditions, as the snow load in winter requires the choice of a steep roof angle.

The idea of a "lookout tower" also determines the height of the house from the inside. It should resemble a tower rather than a house and should also serve as a hideaway. Instead of the usual two floors, three levels of action were created - each with its own character. At the highest level, the house serves as a studio, library and also as a refuge. At this point, it is possible to let thoughts fly... A square window with a side of 2.5 m long frames the view of the treetops, the sky and the landscape. One floor lower, in addition to the bathroom and the open gallery space, we can also find sleeping corners here.

The floor is partly formed by a net that establishes a connection with the lowest level both visually and acoustically and functions as a rest area. It's a place where you can unleash your imagination. Sitting in a net and not having solid ground underfoot has something to do with the dream of flying, as well as looking up at the sky. The lowest level of the house is dominated by the main social area with a kitchen and a central fireplace - a place of meeting and lively conversation. The technical background is located in a partially sunken basement.

In the near future, the house will be inhabited throughout the year. For this reason, the house already has places to sleep for at least ten people. In addition, the energy concept of the house should be expanded in the future as well. It is currently heated by an open fireplace and electricity. In addition, the house is already equipped with connection points for the rooftop photovoltaic system and for vertical wind turbines that help realize the idea of energy self-sufficient life.

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Architects
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Project team
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NEW HOW arquitectos.
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Client
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Petra Lehká & David Zámečník.
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Area
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Built-up area.- 81 sqm. Gross floor area.- 190 sqm. Usable floor area.- 140 sqm. Plot size.- 975 sqm.
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Dates
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2018-2021.
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Manufacturers
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Substructure.- Provast.
Load-bearing wooden structure of the house – CLT panels NOVATOP.- 3AE.
Sheet metal roofing and facades – Al folded sheet PREFA Prefalz anthracite.- Tomáš Padevět.
Floors on the ground floor – marmoleum FORBO.- REALSTEP.
Interior and exterior cladding with wood and OSB.- Milan Panoch.
Kitchens, beds and shelving systems.- IKEA.
Carpentry and stairs.- Petr Višňovský.
Upholstery.- Comfortella.
Bathrooms and tiles.- SIKO BATHROOMS.
Locksmith products.- ALIA SYSTEM.
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Location
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Nové Hamry, the Ore Mountains (Karlovy Vary Region), Czech Republic.
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Photography
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NEW HOW is an architectural studio, which builds on the experience of the previous architecti.cz office and the independent work of its founding members, architects David Zámečník. and Filip Havliš. The predominant part of the work is residential and commercial architecture, but in addition, the studio was given the opportunity to design several projects in a mountain environment. During its existence, the studio has received several awards in architectural competitions and their projects and realizations have been published in various professional media. So far, the studio's greatest success has been winning an international architectural competition for the New Ke₧marok Cottage in the High Tatras in Slovakia. Whether it is a small design, interior, house or urbanism, architects always try to create and collaborate with the client in the design process, ideally from study to implementation. They have verified during many years of practice that this is the only way to guarantee a quality result and final satisfaction on both sides.
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Published on: March 11, 2021
Cite: "A shelter for the forest. Weekend House Nové Hamry by David Zámečník" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/a-shelter-forest-weekend-house-nove-hamry-david-zamecnik> ISSN 1139-6415
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