House with the Hole
Located in the Czech village of Polanka, this house by Lenka Míková Architekti is instantly defined by one feature: a circular hole carved through its front gable wall. More than a design gesture, this large round opening frames views, brings light into the covered terrace, and gives the house a distinct, almost abstract character.
The project began as a replacement for a deteriorating farmhouse and barn. The new structure keeps a similar footprint and orientation—tucked into a slope and opening southward—but reinterprets the rural form through clean geometry and contemporary detailing. The house is compact but cleverly layered: an insulated core for year-round use, a covered terrace beneath the main roof, and a glazed wall extending the space visually into the landscape.
White plaster defines the exterior, while the terrace and interiors use wood to soften the transition between zones. A corridor along the glazed façade links the communal and private spaces while drawing indirect light into the upper level.
