PREFALZ for functional and simple architecture

The house near the protected nature reserve Jakab hegy in Hungary has just one truly complicated aspect: the name of the place it is located in: Kövágószölös. Otherwise, everything about the building, for which architect Agnes Borsos was awarded the "Building of the Year" prize, is oriented towards maximum simplicity - straightforward shapes, clear lines, concentrated functionality, and a focus on the surrounding nature. Despite all the simplicity, the house, with its five terraces, is spectacular as it brings its surroundings to the forefront and captures attention with its reduced forms.




Nature in the Hungarian protected nature reserve Jakab hegy is exceptional. This makes Kövágószölös a well-known tourist destination. Human-like rocks, the so-called Zsongor's stones, a hermit cave, eagle nests, and above all, a lot of untouched green space. Now, the site on the western edge of the town of Pécs is enriched with another attraction. A unique view of this exceptional landscape was staged by the Hungarian architect Dr. Agnes Borsos: “The building is situated on a slope and offers a beautiful and relaxing view of the undeveloped area. We wanted to create a house that allows enjoying nature with the utmost comfort.”

Simplicity – with the Prefalz system
After approximately five years of planning and construction, a building has emerged that is spectacular in its simplicity. The existing “old” part of the house has been completely “covered from head to toe” with light gray aluminum corrugated roofing Prefalz. This makes the roof and facade appear as one unit. This is not only visually impressive but also practical and perfectly complements the principle of simplicity. Agnes Borsos adds: “Because a classic roof eaves would cause ventilation problems for this house's roof structure, we replaced it with drainage in the terrace. Therefore, you will not find any eaves here, and the facade and adjacent roof are ventilated tastefully from top to bottom.”




Concrete vs. aluminum
The corrugated roofing, characterized by long vertical corrugations, is complemented by a cube of concrete that almost seems to float above the ground. Together, these two building elements create a straightforward whole that appears complex in its simplicity. “For this house, we worked with only two materials – aluminum Prefalz and concrete. This makes the construction durable for many years and requires only minimal maintenance. We placed particular emphasis on this, as the homeowner shouldn't have almost any work to do with the object. Instead, they should enjoy their free time here.” The extensive 40-year warranty on PREFA products and maintenance-free operation align well with the long-term concept.

PREFA brings nature to your home
The five terraces also contribute to maximum relaxation, literally bringing nature into the living space. “The house is designed so that the living spaces flow into the terraces, creating a feeling of direct connection with nature.” The result has impressed not only builders but also other architects. For her house in Kövágószölös, Agnes Borsos received a special award for “House of the Year.” “The most important thing is that modern architecture can be truly effective and practical,” says Borsos, who is currently planning more family homes. Additionally, she teaches at the university and works as an interior architect.




Range of products used by PREFA
Used material PREFALZ – rolled sheet
Brief description: colored aluminum rolled sheet is ideally suited for individual and creative solutions for roofs and facades due to its excellent folding quality and surface finish
Product advantages: wide selection of PREFA accessories (drainage systems, fastening materials, snow guards,...); universal application (from arched roofs to intricate roof extensions to vaulted roofs); consistent quality; low weight (approx. 1.89 kg/m2); long lifespan; recyclability; corrosion resistance; available on request with protective film
Colors: 16 standard colors in stock, smooth or stucco surface finish, 40-year warranty on color fastness and quality
Temperature resistance: from -50 °C to +80 °C
Cleaning: with high pressure water, sponge, or brush
Processing: easy and simple to process even at low outdoor temperatures below 0 degrees
Installation and attachment: on full boarding (24 mm) with a separation layer, attachment with stainless steel fasteners