Safe as houses: Home moves with the times

Warsaw – An imposing monolithic block turns into an open, light-filled space in a feat of Transformers-inspired design. Safe House, the residential project by Katowice architects KWK Promes, is a maximum-security house that, in its solid, closed state, is completely closed to the elements – air, wind, water and the curious eyes of passers-by.

When the structure is open, however, moveable cut-out components transform the space, revealing floor-to-ceiling windows that link the inside with the panoramic outside. Exterior walls of up to 3.5 metres in length swing out to expose huge windows, while a drawbridge on the upper floor extends to the roof terrace.

The house – finished in waterproof plywood to fit in with the surrounding aesthetic of barns and other wooden homes – flaunts a renewed brutalism in a Fifth Scenario era.

Look out for our forthcoming minimalist-inspired design direction in the Inspire section.