Steep houses

The project of a family house with three residential units closely engages with the context of one of the oldest historical parts of Bratislava's Dúbravka; in relation to the Church of St. Cosmas and Damian. The foundations of these parish buildings are estimated to date back to the early Renaissance period. The contrast between the world of monuments and the modern world is thus a fundamental and defining factor in conceiving this project.
The final form of the design was also significantly influenced by the topographical morphology (the southern slope of the hill, steep terrain, and complicated connection to the public road). In relation to the surrounding nature and the almost fairy-tale spatial arrangement of the valley below the church, the location, architecture, and layout blur the boundaries between the countryside and the city.
Individual apartments in the family house are always three stories high, each with a distinctly individualized approach to the garden. Despite the compact massing result, the houses do not functionally disturb each other and provide an intimate environment for their residents. The orientation of the slope and the individual layouts ensure pleasant lighting of all living areas and rooms.
The family house formally follows the terrain, which slopes down from the road into the valley. As a result, it appears to passersby as a single-story structure, gently and humanely complementing the existing architectural scale and the overall panorama of the surrounding family houses. It is precisely the panorama and the resulting views that have become the driving forces behind the overall atmosphere of the object.
The material and shape solution of the volume reflects the individual residential units and evokes the impression of separate family "Cottages" (hence the name of the project). This architectural play supports the concept of a unified object disrupting the traditional perception of multi-family and multi-generational houses.
Construction and structural description of the object: thin reinforced concrete and aerated concrete wall structures with a classic span, based on linear foundations with varying heights of the foundation joint. Insulation made of mineral wool, defined by fire safety requirements. Facades made of facing bricks in combination with coarse plaster contemplate aluminum windows. Underfloor heating and fan coil cooling are technically provided by an air-water heat pump.