Zakopianski style architecture (also known as Witkiewicz style) was born in 1890 and was initiated by Lithuanian architect Stanislaw Witkiewicz. The architectural style is named after the town of Zakopane, located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, which is known as the “winter capital” of Poland. Zakopianski art is most often seen in architecture, but it is also present in interior design and home decoration.
Sebastian Piton started his woodworking career at a very young age with his grandfather and uncle, both of whom were carpenters. Inheriting the family’s heritage and many years of experience, Sebastian built a house that looks like it came out of a European fairy tale, inspired by the 1,000-year-old cultural heritage of the Polish Highlands and Zakopian architecture.
Like other Zakopian-style buildings, Sebastian's house was built entirely of wood without the use of nails. Decorative elements such as stairs, shutters, etc. were all carved, and the roof always had a certain slope.
Many people often say that Polish architecture is chaotic, that buildings are built in a fragmented, sketchy, conservative and lacking in originality. But with the presence of Sebastian Piton and other contemporary architects, is that true?
In an interview with Fachowy Dekarz & Cieśla, a Polish architectural publication, Sebastian shared about his unique style, "During my studies, I admired and was inspired by the soft lines of roofs, balconies and fairy chimneys in the works of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. I believe that architecture reached its peak in the old times. Nowadays, buildings are built mainly for practicality. They lack harmony, beauty or arouse a rich imagination. The entire development of architecture, which lasted for several thousand years, has been denied and abandoned. And now people crave beautiful architecture. This is proven by the fact that people want to visit ancient areas and see ancient buildings, not modern office buildings."
