Located between parish church of St Stephen with bell tower and old walls of ancient city, ruin is part of ancient town heritage. Previously used as a stable with court, ruin was servicing next door residential building. Reconstruction was aiming for turning stable into an additional family room for game nights, readings by the fireplace and mediterranean dinners. Additionally, house has a possibility of accommodating family guests, leaving main building private for the family.
Plot follows urbanism of the past, leaving space for building, but also the court to bring traditional outdoor life to a plot. Area is split in two equal halves: empty one and built one. Whole interior is open towards the stone court occupied by a palm tree, local bushes, grill and dining area. Church bell tower is standing next to the court as a background sculpture, creating magical atmosphere when lit in the night. House small in size, leaves spacious ambiance due to small service core and double height living with sleeping gallery.
Ancient stone walls of the stable were preserved as a memory of the past, while new walls are done in new material, thin homogenous plaster coat to highlight oldness and roughness of the stone. Part of the house that overlooks the street has small traditional windows and shutters to respect the context of the street, but the part that overlooks the court has big contemporary opening to create a greater connection. Connection is emphasized using thin concrete layer on both, interior and exterior floors. Small surface patch in the court, next to the palm is finished in “kogula” – traditional smooth rocks in mortar bedding.
Type
Location
Date
Site area
Floor area
Design
Client
Archeology
Photography
residential
Stari Grad, Croatia
2019
96 m2
76.5 m2
Morpharos architects
private
Arheokoop
Nikola Dužević