Copper House

Copper house in old Sibiu. An important aspect was to achive a harmonious integration of the building on its own site. Sibiu is an old city with a well-defined center of medieval buildings, therefore, the double pitched roof, the proportions of windows and the spaces between them were an attempt to adjust to existing archetypes. Another purpose was to obtain the essence of form on a minimalist key. In order to accomplish this, we used the same material for both roof and facade. It is understandable how the roof dictated the material for the vertical elevations as well. This is how the all-copper solution crystallised, copper being a material that ages beautifully and diversely.

The simple volume of the house is divided in two by a void that illuminates the interior, bringing the light in the middle of the composition. Inside, a fluent and continuous space is created by this atrium, representing the core of the building, creating an introverted space despite the small size of the site. Half levels add dynamism to the construction and their connection is made, besides the immaculate white stairs, by an elevator. To highlight the spectacular interior volume we used mostly white, so the color perception does not interfere with the perception of space itself.

The 'public' functions were placed facing the street (hall, living room) and the 'private' ones facing the backyard (bedrooms). Also for reasons of privacy the home cinema is located in the semi-basement, facing a generous english courtyard outlined by stepped rowes filled with vegetation. The transparency of the home cinema windows represents an extension of the room towards this relaxing courtyard. The stage design of the plants with the stepped rows ensures a discreet nightime lighting and protection from the surroundings. The image of the aging copper brings life to the building, but also clashes with the simplicity of the volume, something highly beneficiary in this context. The rhythm given by the full and hollow areas from the facade benefits the interior design. The beneficiary is an art collector and this way the paintings can be placed organized and rhythmically between the windows. The facade is ventilated and well isolated, granted with a heath recovery system as well, placed near the roof. The site has an area of 650 square meters and the building is 238 square meters.