Shelter House with Scorpio Garden: rethinking safe living

An original residential proposal that redefines the idea of the underground refuge: this is the concept developed by BXB Studio, which with its Shelter House with Scorpio Garden envisions a new way of interpreting home and safety.

The vision of the Polish studio overturns the traditional perception of the bunker as a closed and oppressive space, transforming it into an environment of light, comfort, and everyday vitality.

Shelter House with Scorpio Garden, a refuge of comfort and safety

The focal point of the residence is the Scorpio Garden, an underground garden nestled in a green hollow and accessible from both the ground floor and the basement level, connected by stairs, ramps, and a slide. Natural light filters through large windows, circular openings, and a distinctive “bull’s eye” round dormer, one of the defining features of the house. The garden acts as a space suspended between interior and exterior, transforming the underground realm into a new dimension of living.

Next to the glazed living areas lies the Scorpion Shelter, the home’s dedicated refuge zone. Its technical features – including hermetically sealed doors and NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) safety systems – are concealed behind veneered wooden panels, activated only in case of emergency. The idea is to create a new concept of refuge, replacing the image of a dark, oppressive bunker with that of a functional and welcoming living environment.

The residence also features an intelligent retractable pergola, which allows both the walls and roof to open completely, as well as an outdoor kitchen that encourages a seamless continuity between inside and outside and a strong connection with nature.

A matter of perception

«Our project touches on a significant social issue. In the coming years, it will become increasingly important due to greater social awareness. For example, every citizen of Switzerland, or 90% Finland's population has access to shelter. In Poland, it's only 3.8% of the population».

This is how Bogusław Barnaś of BXB Studio describes the concept. In an age of global uncertainty, the very notions of home and safety are evolving — as is the idea of refuge, which increasingly occupies a space of possibility and awareness. The Shelter House fits precisely within this ongoing redefinition, offering a contemporary reflection on what it means to inhabit and to feel protected.

The project operates on multiple levels: it seeks to bring into the residential sphere elements that are usually excluded, such as the underground; to conceal the technical aspects, often burdened by a negative perception, transforming shelters into wine cellars, home cinemas, music studios, spas, or guest suites; and finally, to introduce playful, narrative, or refined features — like the slide — in order to rewrite the emotional character of the space.

 « In a sense, we “re-enchant” the dark image of wartime bunkers, giving shelters a human, accessible, and even desirable dimension».

In this context, the Shelter House emerges as a new residential typology, capable of combining comfort and security within a unified and distinctive space.

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