Family House, Bistritsa Village

This project in Bistritsa is an architectural dialogue between East and West. The house is inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture, where the boundary between interior and exterior blurs. The facades are designed to create internal courtyards on all sides, allowing natural light to sculpt the space throughout the day. The interior follows this logic of openness and air. Instead of closing off rooms, we created a massive atrium that unites the two floors, turning the home into a single, breathing organism.

The concept revolves around the “heart” of the home. We positioned the fireplace in the absolute geometric center of the house.

• The Vertical: Its polished stainless steel chimney pierces through the entire height of the atrium, acting as the spine of the composition and reflecting the light and wooden beams.

• Zoning via Levels: Instead of walls, we used architectural techniques for zoning. The “sunken” living area (conversation pit) creates a sense of intimacy and protection without interrupting the visual connection with the kitchen and dining area.

Living Area (Atrium): The open space on the first level is defined by the interplay of materials. The coolness of the grey porcelain tiles and black accent walls is balanced by the abundance of natural wood on the ceiling and furniture. The green modular sofa in the sunken pit adds color and softness, inviting residents to gather around the fire.

The Library: One of the most distinctive features is the library located under the staircase. We designed it with a diagonal grid structure (diamond shape), turning book storage into an accent wall and fully utilizing the often-wasted space under the stairs.

Second Level (Mezzanine): The second floor is designed as a mezzanine—an internal balcony overlooking the living room. A relaxation and play zone is established here, visually connected to the lower floor but offering privacy. The black wall, used for art installations and drawing, adds a creative charge to the space.

The execution relies on contrast and the honesty of materials.

• Stone & Wood: Walls clad in natural stone bring the facade aesthetics inside, while the wooden roof structure remains exposed, visually warming the double-height space.

• Lighting: To illuminate this vast volume, we designed a “spider” type hanging lighting system, descending from the high ceiling to provide functional light below while filling the air with graphic black lines.