Hillside Embedded Residences

The House in the Slope harmonizes architecture with riverside terrain by embedding a single-family residence into a sloped embankment overlooking Poland’s Vistula River. Designed by 77 Studio, the project conceals much of its mass beneath the hillside, with a corten steel facade and a green roof planted with native species. This approach reduces the visual impact while improving thermal efficiency and supporting biodiversity. The orientation of the house aligns with panoramic sightlines instead of property boundaries, ensuring that each interior space captures views of vegetation, river, and distant skyline.

The arrival sequence is designed for subtlety and drama. A steel-lined entry cuts into the slope, leading to a recessed patio that hides the river until entry is complete. Interiors are organized around wide glazing, transforming living areas into transparent pavilions open to the landscape. Patios carved from the slope bring daylight deep inside, while the restored meadow roof blends the home seamlessly into the hillside. House in the Slope shows how architecture can dissolve into its context while preserving a strong experiential presence.

Image Credit: Studio 77