We discovered a typical Istrian site—a modest settlement situated at the end of a ridge. The hilly regions of Istria are known for their “refugal” towns, which often occupy elevated positions, peaks, and ridgelines. The buildings in these areas are small-scale houses, arranged in harmony with the ridge’s natural shape.
Project Name: House with pavilion
Studio Name: Arhitekti Pocivasek Petranovic
Location: Istria, Croatia
Planning: 2016-2029
Building: 2020-2022
Area: 924 m2
Photos: Urban Petranovič
The client envisioned a comfortable country home where they could spend most of their time. The house would require over 700 square meters of usable space.
Our primary goal was to respect the essence of traditional Istrian villages, so we felt that a single large building would be too overwhelming. We sought a design that would provide the best spatial experience—one that would connect the indoor living areas with the outdoor spaces, create a Mediterranean ambiance, and promote enjoyment of the garden. These became our main objectives. The pavilion concept was inspired by open structures typically found in park-like settings, designed for relaxation and leisure.
The program was split into three distinct volumes, positioned consecutively from south to north and linked at ground level. The central building serves as the entrance, with a spacious square in front. Due to the terrain’s incline, the main entrance is on the first floor, which also includes a study and the master bedroom. A round staircase in the double-height lobby leads down to the ground floor, where the living room and a second study are located. The northern building houses a guest room on the ground floor, with the garage and service areas on the first floor.
At the southern end lies the central pavilion. This structure accommodates the kitchen, dining area, and a large loggia with a sun deck and swimming pool in front. Special emphasis was placed on the pavilion since it’s the area where most of the time would be spent. It is slightly elevated and has wide openings on three sides to create a sense of openness.
The pavilion’s distinctiveness is reinforced by its design and materials. It features a flat roof and a facade constructed from local stone, which gives it a strong connection to the region. In contrast, the other two buildings are more modest, with pitched roofs and plaster facades. To protect the pavilion from the intense summer sun, sliding wooden panels, similar to traditional wooden shutters.
The three buildings are arranged in an irregular sequence, following the natural contours of the terrain. This layout creates various intimate spaces and pathways, similar to those found in traditional Istrian villages, allowing the silhouette of the settlement to remain intact.
The landscape design enhances the overall experience by creating diverse environments. The entrance square, made of gravel, is bordered on one side by stone pine trees, which form the 4th facade of the square. In front of the pavilion, there’s a sunny platform with a swimming pool. In front of the middle building, a small park with pine trees creates a peaceful atmosphere. The guest house is set within a larger garden with a Lebanese cedar in the center, and behind the house, there’s a small wooded area. All of the chosen vegetation is Mediterranean, with an emphasis on fragrant plants that add a sensory layer to the space, further complementing the architecture.
