The Banánka House is designed as a personal retreat in seclusion—a place where one can step back from stress, digital noise, and the outside world.
This retreat-style home emphasizes peace, privacy, and a strong connection to nature. Located away from main roads, with views of the surroundings, the focus is more on being enveloped by greenery and water than on the size of the property. The interior uses natural materials and raw finishes to create a calming atmosphere. Simplicity and minimalism are key: fewer technologies, minimal decorations, clean lines, open views, and plenty of light all contribute to a sense of relaxation. Large windows, evergreen plants both inside and out, natural daylight, and ventilation connect residents with the outdoors. Sensory and mental comfort is supported by quiet spaces for reading, meditation, bathing, or using the sauna, all with attention to the rhythm of the day and moments of rest.
The placement of this single-story family home on the plot, along with its material composition, shape, and layout, follows several key principles. The primary goal was to position the house among the mature trees without cutting them down, creating a garden with a unique, timeworn charm from the very beginning. Another key idea was to use a star-shaped floor plan to divide the surrounding plot into smaller, distinct garden areas, each offering the house’s inhabitants unique views from its interiors. Peaceful living and relaxation amidst greenery were the core intentions behind this design.
The internal layout reflects the concept of dividing the floor plan into several wings, offering greater privacy for the main bedroom and wellness area compared to the children’s and guest rooms. The resulting design is a three-wing structure centered around a dominant living hub. The first wing, connected to the driveway and entrance, includes covered parking, technical facilities, and the house’s main entry area. The second wing contains three children’s or guest bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and a meditation room. The third wing serves as the house’s private night zone, featuring the main bedroom, a walk-in closet, a generous bathroom, and a sauna connected to an open western terrace with a hot tub and a cooling pool fed by a nearby stream. At the intersection of these three wings lies the central social space, which includes a kitchen, dining area, modular living seating, and a showcase wine cellar. This central area seamlessly connects to a covered terrace with an outdoor summer kitchen overlooking the garden and a pond.
The architectural and artistic expression of the house is deeply tied to the surrounding natural context. Its design emphasizes raw, natural materials and a restrained, horizontal form, blending harmoniously with its environment rather than contrasting with it. The experience of living in Banánka is built on a close connection between interior and exterior spaces, achieved through large glass walls that line the house’s entire perimeter. During summer, this connection can be further enhanced by retracting much of the glass facade between the central living area, the terrace, and the garden with its pond. This feature isn’t just a formal option; it is frequently used during the extended summer season, visually drawing the pond, tall trees, and the cozy rocky landscape into the interior.
Design Team: Braňo Hovorka, Martin Paulíny, Natália Galko Michalová, Veronika Kochaníková, Lenka Kopfová
Location: Banka, Piešťany District
Design and Projects: 2020–2021
Construction: 2021–2024
Usable Area: 244 m²
Photography: Matej Hakár
