Istria House

Set in the heart of Istria, on a flat plot without views or distinct context, the project seeks to redefine its surroundings by generating its own landscape. A composition of low, elongated volumes unfolds through courtyards and shaded passages, gradually revealing an ensemble of plaster and stone surfaces. The main house, together with the soon-to-be-built guest house and service building, is quietly grounded within the Mediterranean terrain.

Surrounded by vacant parcels with uncertain futures and lacking defining views or spatial references, the project faced the challenge of creating a sense of place from absence. The response was an inward-oriented composition that generates its own atmosphere. The house unfolds through horizontal volumes organised around a central courtyard anchored by an olive tree. Subtle level shifts, framed openings and intimate atriums balance openness and seclusion, allowing light and shadow to define the experience. The spatial sequence alternates between exposure and retreat, forming a calm continuum between architecture and landscape. The result is a self-contained world — autonomous yet permeable — where everyday life unfolds in quiet dialogue with the Mediterranean climate and light.

The horizontal volumes are built from 54 cm-thick AAC blocks, ensuring high thermal performance and energy efficiency, while reinforced concrete slabs supported by a concrete frame form the roofs. Exterior finishes combine plaster façades with concrete surfaces mixed with local stone aggregate, extending into pavements and terraces. Large stone boulders, unearthed during site preparation, are repurposed within the property as steps descending from the night zone to the courtyard, seamlessly binding landscape and architecture. Sustainability is achieved through passive climate strategies — natural ventilation, deep shading and daylight control — minimising the need for mechanical systems. Maintenance is straightforward, with plaster and stone requiring only annual inspection. The materials and structure balance durability, efficiency and cost, ensuring long-term resilience.