Private house in Rhodopes
The project is located in the upper neighborhood of a village in the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria. The plot, with southwestern exposure, located just below the road, offers a unique 180 degree panoramic view to the beautiful curves of the mountain. The steep terrain with a slope of 30% creates the feeling of flight. The neighboring houses are ordinary rural homes while the wooden farms and sheds scattered around the village are reminiscent of local building customs and are strongly influenced by the culture of woodworking.
The house is a black box, piercing the slope and overhanging the lowlands. It is supported by two monumental reinforced concrete pillars. The house is almost invisible from the road as its flat roof is levelled with the asphalt. However, seen from the downside of the plot the house rises more than 6 meters above the ground thus enhancing the feeling of flight from the large panoramic loggia situated at the top. Behind it are the living room, the kitchen and the dining room.
Both bedrooms have their own loggias and are designed to provide complete peace and privacy to the residents, as the view from neighboring houses to the interior is impossible. At the same time, each room has its own view of the peaks in the distance.
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors strengthen the connection between the interior and the exterior. In this way, the spaces can be completely open or closed depending on the wishes of the residents.
The house is made of visible concrete, which is the only material in the interior. Its monolithic posture creates a feeling of refuge. All interior furniture is white. Minimizing any decorative elements and visual stimuli enhances the perception of the colors of the seasons and of the shapes of the surrounding environment. Thus, the house establishes a strong connection with the nature and provides a peaceful atmosphere for the spirit and the senses.
The outer shell of the house is made of black painted wooden planks. The material is inspired by the nearby farms, reflects the local building customs and fits the house into the rural atmosphere of the village where it is located.
Year
2020Location
Rhodope Mountains, BulgariaType
Private commissionPhases
Pre-design, Schematic design, Design development, Construction documentsDate
09/08/2022