Two houses on one plot

Two similar houses with two different approaches share a common plot adjacent to a forest and a beautiful view of Bratislava.


The houses on Brusnicová Street were built in coordination. The architects from Compass Studio designed them. Although both buildings have a similar basic layout and spatial logic, they differ significantly from each other. Their final appearance was shaped by the individual priorities of the owners. The most distinctive feature that sets House A apart from its neighbor is the cladding made of fiber cement facade panels EQUITONE in various formats.

Similar, yet different

From the start, the architects faced the challenge of building two family houses with gardens on a plot of 660 m². They divided the plot into two identical parts, where mass-similar structures were erected. The facade of both houses follows the street line, and there is no fence or front garden. This, along with an almost identical built-up area (around 60 m²), allowed for an increased space for the garden, to which the communal zones of the houses open through a glazed wall.

Envelope with character

The envelopes of the houses hint at the different preferences of their inhabitants. The initially distinct street facades are united by a playful geometry of windows of various sizes.
The finely structured white cladding made of fiber cement panels EQUITONE [tectiva] contrasts with the surroundings and gives the building a stark appearance. It corresponds with the minimalist concept of House A, which received a nomination for the Slovak Chamber of Architects' CE.ZA.AR 2016 architecture award.
Architect Matej Grébert from Compass Architects explains why he chose EQUITONE facade panels: "We were attracted by the appealing appearance and properties of the material. It is a modern and timeless material. We like the color options and the simple fastening system. The fact that it requires no maintenance also played a role in our selection."

Interior solution

The three-story building is situated 1.2 m higher than the neighboring one. Therefore, the architects raised the ground floor with the living area slightly above the ground to allow natural light to enter the recessed floor. They placed a double garage and a guest room here.
The ground floor features an entrance and a spacious living area with a kitchen, from which you directly enter the terrace with the garden. In addition to the glazed wall connecting the interior with the garden, the living area is also dominated by a central staircase with an indoor fireplace. The living space has no partitions, making it visually taller, even though the ceiling has a standard height. The first floor then contains the private zone of the owners, above which is a terrace with a magnificent view of Bratislava.


http://www.equitone.sk/