Situated on the outskirts of Bratislava with a scenic forest view, this plot belongs to a growing family who desired a brick home. However, the rapid development of nearby residential buildings has made the plot’s orientation challenging. To address this, the design connects three houses through light-filled, transparent spaces, ensuring sunlight reaches every room while maintaining privacy despite the surrounding structures.
Brick houses have a long-standing tradition in the area, offering a familiar and welcoming feel. This project combines traditional burnt bricks with smooth contrasting surfaces to emphasize their unique texture. Bricks are applied in various ways throughout the design — as exterior wall tiles, balcony tiles, mirrors, window sills, interior walls, and arches — creating semi-transparent curtains for building openings.
The three brick houses serve different functions. The largest, spanning two floors, contains private spaces including bedrooms and children’s rooms. Its spacious staircase is bathed in sunlight, with carefully placed windows providing axial views of the garden. The medium-sized house features a living room with a double-sided fireplace and a partially separated library. Elevated to capture sunlight from the southwest, glass strips beneath the ceiling brighten the space. The smallest house, situated at the plot’s entrance, accommodates car parking and garden services.
Within the brick house, bright glass spaces are embedded, accessible from both sides. The smaller area serves as an entrance hall, while the larger space functions as the main living area for the family of six, including a kitchen, dining room, and fireplace. The living area centers around a large dining table and two kitchen islands. This unconventional kitchen layout allows parents to monitor both sides of the house while cooking — with a swimming pool to the northeast and a smaller terrace to the southwest visible.
The window placements on the solid brick walls have been thoughtfully designed to resemble framed paintings. In contrast, the glass spaces are light, open structures with concrete beam ceilings that blend naturally with the outdoor environment. A central axis runs through the entire house, connecting all spaces and offering stunning views of the garden.
The exterior walls are built with bricks, mineral wool insulation, and ventilation air gaps. The facade features Belgian Marziale bricks. All reinforced concrete ceilings integrate a cooling system. By combining heat pumps, air recovery, and using water wells to support garden irrigation, this eco-friendly building achieves sustainability and environmental harmony.
Project Drawings
△ Base schematic diagram
△ General layout plan
△ First floor plan
△ Basement floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Section diagram
△ Sectional perspective
Project Information
Architect: ArchitekTI Mikulaj& mikulajova
Area: 358 m²
Project Year: 2023
Photographer: Matej Hak á r
Suppliers: Agape, Astro Lighting, Bega, Blinds and Curtains, Cesi, Classicon, FLOS, Fabrick, Homola Furniture, Jalousie, Janosik Okna a Dvere, Laufen, Mutina, Steinberg, Wever & Ducré Lighting
Lead Architects: Juraj Mikulaj, Andrea Ambrovicova Mikulajova
Design Team: Jana Machalova, Tomas Chovanec
Project Function: Family Residence
Landscape Design: Atelier DIVO
Structural Engineer: Ing. Frantisek Hladky
Lighting Design: The Light
Location: Z á horská Bystrica, Slovakia
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