Charred Wood: Weekend Cottage in the Jizera Mountains

When approached in autumn when low-lying clouds and whisks of fog set the scene, the two black wooden buildings set on a meadow near woods are decidedly dramatic in impression. Charred timber on the façades, roofs and chimney is the main cause of this effect.

The exterior was charred by the clients themselves, using a Japanese technique that protects wood from insects and weathering without chemicals. Adverse weather conditions including cold north winds and an abundance of snow in winter are part and parcel of the geographical location.

In contrast to the black outer skin, the atmosphere in the interior is determined by light-coloured, untreated wood. Here Mjölk Architekti changed the original layout of the cottage somewhat. The living area and kitchen account for the ground floor, and two bedrooms are located under the roof, the larger reached by stairs hidden in a walk-in wardrobe and the smaller via a ladder from the kitchen.  A so-called “sleeping window“ opposite the fireplace is a further spot for spending the night.

A large window above the raised terrace brings light into the living area, while a circular opening on the upper floor heightens the abstract impression of the exterior.