M RETREAT
The project reinterprets traditional Istrian architecture through a refined contemporary lens, combining timeless proportions with carefully selected natural materials.
M RETREAT
INTENDED USE
Housing
LOCATION
Istria, Croatia
SITE AREA
520m²
BRUTO
160m²
YEAR
2023
STATUS
Ideal project
Located in a isolated rural interior of northern Istria, this family house has a total gross area of 160 m², arranged over a ground floor and first floor. The building features a compact, elongated volume with a classic pitched roof, fully clad in locally inspired natural stone.
The stone façade is paired with muted grey wooden shutters and simple metal balcony railings, creating a calm and authentic aesthetic rooted in the regional building tradition. Openings are precisely positioned, providing balanced daylight while maintaining the solid, protective character of the house.
The ground floor is organized around a generous open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area, directly connected to a covered outdoor terrace. This outdoor space functions as an extension of the interior, featuring a pergola with a dark metal structure and wooden slats, housing a large dining table and summer kitchen area. Adjacent to the terrace, a linear swimming pool is subtly integrated into the terrain, framed by stone walls and Mediterranean planting.
The first floor accommodates the private family zone with bedrooms opening toward the surrounding landscape, including a small balcony that emphasizes the vertical rhythm of the façade. Interior spaces are designed to remain simple and functional, allowing the architecture and natural surroundings to take precedence.
The landscape design follows a restrained Mediterranean approach, with olive trees, cypress trees, low shrubs, dry-stone walls, ceramic vessels, and discreet spherical outdoor lighting. Together, the architecture and garden create a quiet, intimate atmosphere, fully integrated into the rolling Istrian countryside.
