Two houses

Client
Private
Location
Bratovici - Istria
Program
Housing
Status
Completed
Scale
400 m²
Year
2010

A house ”couple” that came to life as the answer to a specific project assignment (two identical country side retreats with a shared swimming pool), but also our own idea to approach the design process with a contemporary concept set in a rural environment with traditional households that surround the site.
The whole design process involved a thorough study of local structures, materials and building practices. In particular the way stone as a building material was used, shaped and experienced.
This path led from a basic stone stacked shelter structure (Istrian Casita) to more complex household estates grouping several buildings with different purposes which function as a whole.
The result is a play on traditional forms and materials but reinterpreted in a contemporary manner. The harmonious horizontal proportions, homogeneity of the façade and roof cover from local stone that has been worked on-site made our houses dialogue well with the surrounding environment.
This experience and new knowledge, together with a whole new perspective on stone as a building material which goes beyond pure ornament, paved the way for future challenges and new projects which have given us the possibility to further express ourselves in a unique way.

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