The Kohútka Cottage, designed by SENAA architekti, sits perfectly in the Javorníky range as if it always belonged there. But this isn’t just another mountain retreat trying too hard to look rustic. Architects Jan Sedláček and Václav Navrátil faced an interesting challenge. The owner of a local mountain complex wanted something that felt authentically Wallachian but worked for modern living. Instead of choosing one or the other, they created a house with two faces that each tell a different story.

Walk up from the east and you’ll see exactly what you’d expect from this region. Small windows, deep roof overhangs, and that classic log cabin silhouette that’s been keeping mountain families warm for centuries. It’s the kind of building your grandmother would recognize, built using forms that actually make sense in this climate.

Designer: SENAA architekti

But circle around to the west side and everything opens up. Huge windows frame views across multiple valleys, turning the interior into a viewing gallery for some of the most beautiful scenery in the Czech Republic. It’s a smart move that lets the house honor its roots while making the most of its incredible location.

What’s really impressive is how they built this thing. The entire structure uses prefabricated timber panels that were made down in the valley, then trucked up and assembled in just one day. That’s not just efficient – it meant minimal disruption to the mountainside. The house meets strict low-energy standards, too, proving you don’t have to choose between being environmentally responsible and building something beautiful.

The interior layout makes clever use of the sloping site. There’s a wellness area tucked under the main level with a sauna and relaxation spaces that get natural light filtering down from above. All the boring mechanical stuff gets hidden away at this lower level, keeping the main living spaces focused on those mountain views.

SENAA architekti clearly know what they’re doing. The studio has worked everywhere from Brno to Los Angeles, and that experience shows in how they approached this project. They didn’t try to reinvent mountain architecture – they just did it really well.

You won’t find trendy dormers or unnecessary skylights here. Instead, the design relies on basics that have worked in these mountains for generations. The steep roof handles snow loads and weather. The window placement gives you light without losing heat. Simple decisions that add up to something that just works.

The Kohútka Cottage proves something important about mountain architecture. You can respect local building traditions while meeting today’s standards for comfort and sustainability. The result feels both timeless and completely contemporary – exactly what good architecture should do.

The post One House, Two Faces: How This Mountain Cottage Nails Traditional & Modern first appeared on Yanko Design.

Overlooking the lovely coastline of Vagator, Goa, sits something India has never seen before. Architecture Discipline’s Timber Residence breaks new ground as the country’s first mass timber home, proving that environmental responsibility and stunning design can work hand in hand. Architect Akshat Bhatt wanted to create more than just another luxury residence. The 8,650 square foot structure challenges everything we think we know about Indian construction.

The secret lies in eleven glulam portal frames, each one carefully crafted in New Delhi before making the journey to Goa. These aren’t your typical building materials. Glued laminated timber represents a completely different construction approach, where pieces get stronger when combined rather than weakened. The entire house operates like sophisticated building blocks that can actually be taken apart and moved elsewhere decades from now.

Designer: Architecture Discipline

From the outside, charred-wood cladding gives the home its stunning weathered appearance while protecting it from monsoon rains and coastal salt air. The linear design captures sweeping views of both the Arabian Sea and Chapora River, turning the house into a front-row seat for nature’s daily show. Inside, exposed timber beams steal the spotlight, their raw authenticity warming rooms finished with black granite floors and deliberately bare white walls.

The lower level houses something special: a glass-enclosed wood workshop bathed in natural light from clerestory windows above. This creative space opens onto a timber deck that feels more like an outdoor room than a traditional balcony. Instead of walls or railings, planters define the deck’s edges, keeping the connection to the surrounding landscape completely uninterrupted. The workshop becomes a bridge between indoor creativity and outdoor inspiration.

Building on a cliff in Goa means preparing for nature’s worst moods. Bhatt worked with engineers to ensure the structure could handle fifty years of typhoons and torrential rains without flinching. The glulam construction method does something remarkable: it removes carbon from the atmosphere during production. While concrete construction takes from the environment, this timber approach gives back, making each beam part of the solution rather than the problem.

International architecture publications have taken notice, recognizing this project as a catalyst for change across India’s building industry. The residence is proof that sustainable construction doesn’t mean compromising on quality or beauty. With India’s population demanding smarter housing solutions, this Goa home shows a path forward where environmental consciousness and architectural excellence aren’t just compatible but essential partners in creating the future of responsible design.

FAQs

1. What makes the Timber Residence unique in India?

This home is a real first for India, it’s the country’s debut mass timber house, built using glulam frames instead of the usual concrete or steel. What sets it apart is how it was designed: almost like a giant set of building blocks that can be taken apart and moved if needed. The focus on sustainability, adaptability, and a much lighter environmental footprint makes it a standout in Indian residential architecture.

2. Why use glulam (glued laminated timber) instead of concrete or steel?

Glulam is a bit of a game-changer. It’s incredibly strong, but much lighter than concrete or steel, and it can be prefabricated, which means less mess and faster building on site. The real bonus is that timber stores carbon, so using glulam helps the environment rather than hurting it. You get all the strength you need for a modern home, but with a much smaller carbon footprint.

3. How does the Timber Residence handle Goa’s harsh coastal weather?

Goa’s weather can be tough, think heavy rains, salty air, and the occasional typhoon. The Timber Residence was built with all that in mind. Its charred-wood exterior helps protect it from moisture and decay, and the engineered timber frames are made to last. Every detail, from the materials to the structure itself, was chosen to make sure the house stays comfortable and resilient, no matter what the weather throws at it.

The post India’s First Mass Timber Home In Goa Raises The Bar For Sustainable Living first appeared on Yanko Design.