[1] The name koliba originates from the same word in Polish Goral regional dialect meaning a shepherds' hut.

Originally he aimed to build a simple hut based on existing Podhale architecture, but was convinced by Stanisław Witkiewicz to instead have a house in the newly emerging Zakopane style built instead.

Witkiewicz, already a well-known artist, draughtsman and playwright, was eager to introduce a new local style of architecture to the region when he noticed that wealthy local residents began erecting houses in the Swiss folk style.

Witkiewicz was aiming to introduce a national variety of rustic architecture to Poland, and based his sketches on local decorative motifs.

[2] Sketches of Koliba Villa were made in 1891 and it was then built by local workers in 1892–1893 in Zakopane at Kościeliska street.