HOUSES SI
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Program: Two single-family houses in one plot
Architect: Aleksandar Shinolov
Client: Private
Year: 2016- 2020
Grоss Floor Area: 360m2; Structure: reinforced concrete; Materials: wood, plaster, alu glazing; Max. Height: 9.70;
The site is located south of the city center of Sofia, in Simeonovo district, at the foot of Vitosha mountain. It has a highly elongated proportion of 80m/14m by the east-west direction and borders six adjacent neighboring properties, in which there are other residential buildings surrounded by greenery.
Two single family houses are situated in the plot, one adjacent to the street and the other at the rear of the plot. Car and pedestrian access is via an internal lane along the north regulation boundary. Parking places are located behind the houses, concealed by the solid facades. Between the two structures, distanced as far as possible from each other, there is a courtyard for play and recreation.
The architecture of the buildings derives from a box- 6m/6m/20m. A single cut along the edges and the subsequent shifting of the two halves in space generate the main volume and functional zones: ground floor- living room, first floor- bedrooms, second floor- other activities.
The first two levels are screened from the northern exposure and from the internal circulation lane by a solid wall, which only has a niche for the main entrance to the facility.
The living space is completely open to the expansive courtyard and the southern wooden platform. The first floor with the bedrooms is oriented to the south only, visually separated from its mirrored "twin" on the courtyard side. The units open onto an elongated two-storey high loggia, where sliding panels regulate the sunlight and the views of the outer environment. This semi-open space in front of the entire south façade is a transition between outside and inside, a reference to far eastern traditional architecture. It creates a sense of privacy and comfort. On the top level, there are a guest room and a multifunctional space with access to a roof terrace. These offer views of both the mountains and the city skyline in the distance.
The first two levels are screened from the northern exposure and from the internal circulation lane by a solid wall, which only has a niche for the main entrance to the facility. The living space is completely open to the expansive courtyard and the southern wooden platform. The first floor with the bedrooms is oriented to the south only, visually separated from its mirrored "twin" on the courtyard side. The units open onto an elongated two-storey high loggia, where sliding panels regulate the sunlight and the views of the outer environment. This semi-open space in front of the entire south façade is a transition between outside and inside, a reference to far eastern traditional architecture. It creates a sense of privacy and comfort. On the top level, there are a guest room and a multifunctional space with access to a roof terrace. These offer views of both the mountains and the city skyline in the distance.
An innovative element in the architecture of the houses are the 6m high sliding panels which, in addition to their utilitarian purpose, enclose the south side of the box and contribute to a clear reading of the initial morphological concept. The simple, large, geometric forms of the volumes contrast with the surroundings and give an impression of monumentality and abstraction of the architectural image.
Natural materials are used in the buildings: wood for facade cladding and decking floors, aluminum for window frames and sun-protection panels, plaster and stone.
An innovative element in the architecture of the houses are the 6m high sliding panels which, in addition to their utilitarian purpose, enclose the south side of the box and contribute to a clear reading of the initial morphological concept. The simple, large, geometric forms of the volumes contrast with the surroundings and give an impression of monumentality and abstraction of the architectural image.
Natural materials are used in the buildings: wood for facade cladding and decking floors, aluminum for window frames and sun-protection panels, plaster and stone.
