FAMILY RETREAT_D
Horizontal composition of a contemporary house immersed in the Istrian landscape
INTENDED USE
LOCATION
340m²
YEAR
STATUS
Hidden within the open countryside of north-western Istria, this single-storey family house is conceived as a quiet architectural composition that unfolds horizontally across the landscape. With a gross area of 340 m², the house avoids monumentality and instead builds its presence through proportion, materiality and carefully framed outdoor spaces.
Rather than a single compact volume, the building is articulated into connected segments, each defined by pitched clay-tile roofs and deep overhangs. This fragmentation softens the scale of the house and recalls the logic of traditional rural estates, while the clean detailing and restrained geometry clearly place the project in a contemporary context. Light plastered surfaces are paired with exposed natural stone walls, creating a nuanced facade that responds to changing light throughout the day. Wooden shutters and recessed openings add rhythm, shadow and depth, reinforcing the tactile quality of the architecture.
Life extends outward under a long pergola structure that runs along the main facade, forming a shaded outdoor room for dining and relaxation. Sun terraces, built-in seating and a fire pit are subtly arranged to support different uses without disrupting the overall clarity of the space.
The surrounding garden is deliberately composed, combining olive trees, lavender and low Mediterranean planting with gravel paths, natural stone and softly defined lawn areas. Discreet spherical and ground lighting accentuates textures and circulation after sunset, allowing the house and garden to remain legible and atmospheric at night.
This project is defined by restraint and balance — a contemporary family home shaped not by excess, but by material honesty, spatial clarity and a strong relationship with its rural Istrian setting.
