House Under Pines by Konzola Arhitektura Taps Istrian Architecture

The House Under Pines comprises two buildings on the western coast of Istria, near Novigrad. It serves as a vacation home for the owner and includes a rental house. The project, completed in 2024, was designed by Konzola Arhitektura, who replaced an existing house with the new buildings. It integrates elements of traditional Istrian architecture, informed by the studio’s contextual approach that combines traditional elements with contemporary architectural language.

The primary motif in the House Under Pines is the traditional single-pitched Istrian roof set against a modern horizontal strip of glazing on the façade. The complex consists of three basic rectangular volumes, each comprising two square modules. The standalone structure is formed by placing each rectangular volume at a slight angle, creating sloped eaves. A portion of the structure is rotated by 90 degrees to create two separated exterior areas on the site.

In addition to the roof and window stylings, the project takes inspiration from the proportions of the basic volume of an Istrian house, reflected in the relationship of the floor plan’s dimensions.

Inside both residential units, shared living spaces occupy the ground floor, while private bedroom areas are located on the upper floor. Technical rooms are on the basement level.

The buildings feature brick walls with reinforced concrete beams along the main 17.7-metre-long façade. These elements are “supported eccentrically,” said Konzola Arhitektura.

Early land planning featured the preservation of a large number of trees, including Aleppo pines, after which the house takes its name.

“We based the contextual foundation of the project on the existing tall greenery of cedars and Aleppo pines, which gave the house its name,” said the studio.

The project’s layout creates two atriums, including a smaller one with the owner’s art sculptures and a larger one containing an outdoor pool and connecting to the courtyard. “The two atriums – the pool atrium as a gathering place and the sculpture atrium as a place of contemplation – are interconnected with residential units,” it continued. The home includes a primary residence for an artist, as well as a house intended to be used as a rental.

Additionally, the inclusion of the swimming pool serves to keep the outdoor areas bright by reflecting light into the atrium. The framed views of sculptures, water, and greenery are animated by movement through the house, which is oriented towards the west to illuminate the structure throughout the day.

The exterior facade features a red hue that creates a complementary contrast to the large pine and cedar trees surrounding the house. “The reddish color of the façade departs from the modernist tradition of black-and-white houses,” said the studio.

The gradation of glazing on the façade, from a long strip in the lower zone to smaller openings in the upper zone, emphasizes the residential character of the ground floor in contrast to the private nature of the first floor and creates a gradual transition to the sloped roofs. A glass panel connects the pool atrium to an adjacent living room.

The interior is characterized by an achromatic color scheme and tactile material qualities with furniture and artificial lighting accents and opens through glass walls towards the courtyard. The living room is defined by the contrast of the “rough” concrete ceiling and “smooth” white plaster walls.

Additionally, the kitchen and dining room feature wood and stone accents. The staircase, with its tactile wooden cladding and vertical bars, gives a sense of levitation and airiness, enhanced by views of the sculpture atrium. The upstairs rooms are airy and bright, with the sloped roof emphasizing the coziness of the human scale.