SHORT DESCRIPTION

Residence Demänovská—a timber retreat rooted in place and memory. The story of tourism in the Demänovská Valley began in 1924 with the opening of the Cave of Liberty, and a century later we contributed to this evolving narrative with the design of a new residence. The site, once occupied by a modest log cabin from the late 1980s, called for renewal. Rebuilding on its original footprint expressed respect for the genius loci, existing infrastructure, and the opportunity to use prefabricated timber construction. This approach allowed the house to harmonize with its forested surroundings and the banks of the Demänovka stream in a sensitive, non-intrusive way. The spatial concept grows directly from the landscape: a prism-like volume runs parallel to the stream, making water the central, ever-changing presence within the living space through vast frameless glazing. Upstairs, three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms continue this dialogue, framing views and sounds of the flowing stream. Above, a rooftop terrace with hot tub forms an “inverted landscape,” where sloping roofs carve sheltered niches, balancing privacy with expansive skyward views. The facades are clad in Yakisugi—charred timber that increases durability and fire resistance while giving the building a bold, matte-black character. Inside, warm timber veneers embrace walls and ceilings, contrasted with microcement floors in living areas and bathrooms. A restrained palette of furnishings emphasizes mood over abundance, offering clarity, harmony, and calm. Residence Demänovská reinterprets the evolution of the mountain cabin: from a simple shelter against harsh weather to a sophisticated sanctuary. Here, retreat is not escape but renewal—a fixed point in the mental landscape of its inhabitants, where mind, spirit, and body reconnect with nature.