Terraced Houses, Rukavac

‘The houses are located in a cascading manner along the ridge. The longitudinal section mirrors the slope of the terrain, and the facade demonstrates the cross-section. Each house arises spirally from the ground – from the cellar to the belvedere, from the pitch darkness to the treetops – with all domestic activities encompassed. The forest is a choice; this is why it is constantly present in the house – depending on the nature of individual space: once it is there just as an indication, another time as a wide panorama.’

The houses are designed for the known clients. The clients initially ordered two detached buildings with two residential units each, with a requirement that they be equivalent and that standard structures and materials be used. The solution anticipating longitudinal placement of residential units along the ridge has been proposed in order to keep intact as much of the specific forest landscape as possible – which is distinctly steep and rocky. Just a narrow strip between the road and the houses is to be developed – driveways and front gardens. The non-
existence of back gardens is compensated with roof terraces and belvederes.

The units are of a longitudinal shape and oriented towards the southeast – i.e. the road, and towards the northwest – i.e. the forest. The solution does not give priority to the outmost units in a row. Due to the adjusting to the existing terrain, a cascade solution has been applied – to the entire row of houses and to each separate residential unit. Orientation towards the forest is maximally emphasized, regardless of the absence of insolation. Living rooms are situated on the first floor to provide them with the view of the forest and the impression of ‘staying in the treetops’, connection with roof terraces and exposure to the sun from above – through the glass-covered elevated part of the living rooms.