Architecture CN House

This unifamily house is built in Bucharest, on a 350sqm lot deriving from a rece
nt partition as a consequence of the retrocession of the terrain of a park. Sens
itive to the implications of cutting down trees on the urban atmosphere and the
local micro-climate, the architect and beneficiary agreed to keep as many of the
existing trees as possible. Three out of four were kept standing. The first, cl
osest to the alignment, dictated the entrance axis for the construction to follo
w, making this one of a few theme requirements the others mostly concerning urba
n regulations blind wall on one of the sides, withdrawal from the other three ed
ges.
Text: Catrinel Negru Photo: Cosmin Dragomir
Project: Plus Line Desin, arh. Eliodor Streza
Structures: ROZINI
Constructor: MAT CRE CONSTRUCT
Client: The David Family
The volume scheme was influenced by a decision to build a roof in three waves, w
ith a reverse slope, hidden behind an orthogonal facade. The three waves converg
e towards the terrace on the side of the lot, also determining the shape of the
interior space on the top floor, as bedrooms were alloted the loft type section.
The terrace on the ground floor extends from the middle of the lateral facade f
ar into the garden, gaining width as it draws nearer the living room. The deck s
urface of the terrace is emphasised by the flowerbed adjoining the wall and the
live hedge with laminated metallic profiles, a detail that can also be found in
the design of the entrance terrace. Partially flooded in sunlight, partially sha
ded by the bold console of the top floor bedroom, the terrace is the entire fami
lys favorite place and an indisputable advantage of individual living.
The entrance is signaled by a trapezoidal withdrawal sheltering the access terra
ce, as well as by a section of the facade that was coated in red colored glass.
The interior reiterates the themes found on the exterior through a continuation
of the same range of finishes and the same simplicity of the volumes: white wall
s, wooden floors and large tilework, surfaces of transparent glass (the parapet
of the staircase and the landings) as well as brightly colored glass (for the co
unters and tiles in the bathrooms and kitchen), the abundent light in all the sp
aces from the sides and from above, the dynamics of the angles of perception. A
few details enrich the interior decoration without overburdening it: the aparent
concrete ceiling of the living room, the fixed furniture in every room, account
ing for a maximal use of the available space, the smooth wall surfaces, minimali
st pieces of furniture in dark shades that add weight to the spaces flooded by l
ight, creating a gravitational balance.
The interior courtyard is the element that governs and orders the space of the h
ouse in its entirety, transforming the lateral facade into a centerpiece, determ
ining the retreat of the ground floor towards the living room and the need for a
console on the top floor, thus inventively shaping the roof.
The seethrough fencing towards the street, so rarely opted for by owners, despit
e explicit urban reguations, significantly contributes to the atmosphere of the
street and accentuates its residential character.
There is a simple lesson in architecture to be learned from this small, cleancut
, cheerful and cocquette volume: in order to create a valuable object, you dont n
eed large surfaces, extravagant finishes or decorations: the science of elengant
ly fitting into the context and of making full use of the potential of a given l
ot with no distinctive traits, aided by common sense (not only from an architect
ural standpoint), aided by creativity and a feel for proportions these are facto
rs that ensure that the resulting design will add to the quality of the image of
any neighborhood or area.