Small Family Home With A Roof That Splits Into Two Sections

Every house has its own way of adapting to the topography of the site, to its location and what’s expected of it by the inhabitants. The FIL House, for instance, sits on a pretty small site with an irregular shape. It’s wider to the West and narrower to the East. The design that the architects of Beczak came up with deals with the asymmetry in a way that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

The main characteristic that makes this house special is the design of the roof which splits into two sections
The main characteristic that makes this house special is the design of the roof which splits into two sections
Although it may look L-shaped, the interior spaces are all clustered on a single line. The L shape is given by this terrace
Although it may look L-shaped, the interior spaces are all clustered on a single line. The L shape is given by this terrace

The house as a whole is a one and a half storey structure, the half level being the mezzanine area which is also a part of one of the volume. This single-family home is structured into two zones, each with its own height. As a result, the roof has different heights as well, being divided along its length. The interior spaces are organized into two blocks, each with its own characteristics and design particularities.

The house opens up to a garden on the West side of the plot and has a garage at the Eastern end
The house opens up to a garden on the West side of the plot and has a garage at the Eastern end
The house is structured into two volumes with different ceiling heights, one of which has a mezzanine level
The house is structured into two volumes with different ceiling heights, one of which has a mezzanine level

The small dimensions of the site and the proximity to the road raised a series of concerns and challenges for the architects. The clients wanted the house to feel open and connected to its surroundings but at the same time to be enclosed and protected as not to sacrifice privacy. To make that happen, the architects designed a closed block to the South with a dark color facade and a second bloth to the North with a light grey exterior. The main openings were placed in areas where these two blocks intersect.

To ensure the privacy of the internal spaces, the openings are strategically placed between the volumes
To ensure the privacy of the internal spaces, the openings are strategically placed between the volumes
A freestanding wall offers privacy from the road and shelters a small terrace between in and the kitchen area
A freestanding wall offers privacy from the road and shelters a small terrace between in and the kitchen area

The Northern block is 4.6 meters high and contains the living room and three bedrooms. The bedrooms have lower ceilings and allowed room for mezzanine spaces to also be added. The roof extends to also cover a terrace oriented towards East. The Southern block includes the kitchen, the bathrooms, the laundry room and a guest room. It has long and narrow windows designed to offer privacy from the road. A freestanding privacy wall blocks the view towards the street and shelters a small second terrace adjacent to the kitchen.

The social areas are placed in the Northern volume which is the higher of the two and has a mezzanine area
The social areas are placed in the Northern volume which is the higher of the two and has a mezzanine area
The living room has an exposed concrete wall which serves as a backdrop for the fireplace and artwork
The living room has an exposed concrete wall which serves as a backdrop for the fireplace and artwork

The interior design is simple. In the living room, an unfinished concrete wall serves as an eye-catching backdrop for the fireplace and modern wall art. The wall continues outside, ensuring a seamless connection between the internal spaces and the outdoors. The dialogue with the exterior is smooth and beautiful despite the lack of glazed facades or huge openings. Since the site was wider towards West, the architects turned that area into a garden and made sure to place a terrace there as well. To the East, a gate built into the fence allows direct access to the garage from the road.

A fireplace stands in the corner of the living room, balancing out the ruggedness of the concrete wall
A fireplace stands in the corner of the living room, balancing out the ruggedness of the concrete wall