![House in the Mountains by Kropka Studio](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/01/house-in-the-mountains-kropka-studio-architecture-residential-houses-black-poland_dezeen_2364_hero-852x479.jpg)
Mountain house in Poland has glazed cut between gables
A glazed cut through a barn-style gabled house set into a hill in rural Poland by Kropka Studio has views of its mountain surroundings.
Set into a gently sloping site in the Beskid Ślaski mountain range, the project is called House in the Mountains.
![House in the Mountains by Kropka Studio](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/01/house-in-the-mountains-kropka-studio-architecture-residential-houses-black-poland_dezeen_2364_col_0-852x532.jpg)
The long, thin house is also split horizontally across two stories on different ground levels.
A black metal-clad upper level sits atop a base clad with concrete slabs.
![House in the Mountains by Kropka Studio](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/01/house-in-the-mountains-kropka-studio-architecture-residential-houses-black-poland_dezeen_2364_col_2-852x638.jpg)
This split differentiates the lower level, which is sunk slightly into the hill and houses dedicated areas for the family's children, along with bedrooms and a garage
The upper level contains the master bedroom and living areas.
![House in the Mountains by Kropka Studio](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/01/house-in-the-mountains-kropka-studio-architecture-residential-houses-black-poland_dezeen_2364_col_11-852x491.jpg)
"One of the client's main wishes was to create a 'children's house' within the building," said Kropka Studio founder, Jakub Kowalczyk.
"So in fact the house consists of two houses stacked on each other, which relates directly to the different plot levels [giving] each its own terrace and garden access."
![House in the Mountains by Kropka Studio](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/01/house-in-the-mountains-kropka-studio-architecture-residential-houses-black-poland_dezeen_2364_col_10-852x1278.jpg)
On the first floor, the glazed cut acts to separate the master bedroom from the main living, kitchen and dining area.
A sliding glass door opens onto a terrace space.
![House in the Mountains by Kropka Studio](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/01/house-in-the-mountains-kropka-studio-architecture-residential-houses-black-poland_dezeen_2364_col_15-852x568.jpg)
"It was very important to provide insights to the 180-degree view from the main areas of the house without pumping the budget with whole glass walls," said Kowalczyk.
"Fixed windows perforate the upper volume catching the south-west sun and framing the views to the north-east."
![House in the Mountains by Kropka Studio](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/01/house-in-the-mountains-kropka-studio-architecture-residential-houses-black-poland_dezeen_2364_col_12-852x1278.jpg)
A simple staircase sits alongside a core area containing a bathroom and storage, which helps to further separate the two halves.
The living, dining and kitchen space is organised around a kitchen island – also finished with concrete panels – a large sofa and a fireplace.
![House in the Mountains by Kropka Studio](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/01/house-in-the-mountains-kropka-studio-architecture-residential-houses-black-poland_dezeen_2364_col_13-852x1278.jpg)
Gabled roofs create almost double-height interiors.
The glazed viewing cut is topped by a flat roof, giving House in the Mountains its distinctive profile.
![House in the Mountains by Kropka Studio](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/01/house-in-the-mountains-kropka-studio-architecture-residential-houses-black-poland_dezeen_2364_col_9-852x591.jpg)
Black metal cladding over the upper level and roof contrast with the house's white-walled interiors.
Kraków-based Kropka Studio was founded in 2012 by Gosia Łapaj and Jakub Kowalczyk.
![House in the Mountains by Kropka Studio](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2020/01/house-in-the-mountains-kropka-studio-architecture-residential-houses-black-poland_dezeen_2364_col_5-852x569.jpg)
Previous projects by the firm include a home near the city of Zawiercie with wall built from rock-filled cages.
In the mountains of Norway, Rever & Drage Architects clad different sections of a gabled house with contrasting materials to differentiate the purpose of the spaces inside.
Photography is by Maciej Lulko.