TWISTING INTO THE TERRAIN: YAW HOUSE BY ROBERT KONIECZNY / KWK PROMES

Set in the Beskid Mountains of southern Poland, Yaw House by KWK Promes rethinks the traditional mountain residence through movement, topography and light. Designed by architect Robert Konieczny, the project takes its name from the aviation term “yaw,” describing rotation around a vertical axis. That concept becomes the core of the architecture: the house subtly twists along the slope to maximize solar exposure, open panoramic views and merge naturally with the landscape.

Rather than sitting on top of the terrain, the 930 sqm residence appears carved into the hillside. Its elongated pitched roof follows the mountain contours, allowing parts of the building to visually dissolve into the ground. Inspired by local vernacular architecture, the house starts from the archetype of a simple gabled volume before gradually rotating to create a more dynamic relationship with the site.

Inside, large glazed openings frame the surrounding forest and distant peaks while flooding the interiors with natural light throughout the day. The layout separates technical functions and garages on the uphill side from expansive living spaces facing the valley. Warm wood finishes, exposed concrete and minimalist detailing reinforce the connection between the interior and the rugged alpine environment.

One of the most distinctive elements of the project is the circular indoor pool, introduced during construction after a family member required rehabilitation therapy. Instead of feeling secondary, the pool became the emotional and spatial center of the home, connecting the main living areas through a fluid and sculptural composition.

Yaw House continues KWK Promes’ exploration of responsive architecture, where climate, terrain and daily life directly shape the form of the building. More than a contemporary villa, the project behaves like an extension of the mountain itself, adapting to the slope, the sunlight and the rhythms of its inhabitants.

technical sheet:

project: yaw house
location: beskid mountains, Poland
architecture: kwk promes - kwkpromes.pl 
lead architect: robert konieczny
design team: marek golab-sieling
interior design: widawscy studio architektury
structural engineering: proeco / kornel szyndler

site area: 4,870 m²
built area: 929.9 m²
ground floor area: 581.7 m²
upper floor area: 206.7 m²
pool area: 141.5 m²

design phase: 2018–2019
construction: 2021–2025
photography: jakub certowicz (c) 
program: private residence
materials: concrete, wood, steel, glass

awards/distinctions: Finalist - Architizer A+Awards 2026

Continuing the architectural approach explored in Yaw House, these three additional projects (just below) by Robert Konieczny and KWK Promes once again demonstrate an architecture where concept fully drives form. Whether through the sculptural and industrial character of Gambit Office, the bold and radical transformation of the Plato Contemporary Art Gallery, or the refined minimalism of Trim House, each project conveys a strong and instantly recognizable identity. Behind their apparent simplicity lies an exceptional attention to detail, construction logic, and the coherence between function, materiality, and architectural image. This rigorous approach further confirms Robert Konieczny’s ability to create architecture that is simultaneously conceptual, functional, and deeply iconic.