EN
This project site offers a mix of intriguing qualities and significant challenges. Located near Băneasa Lake in Bucharest, the area is a residential neighborhood that has evolved chaotically over the past century into a mix of single-family homes, small apartment buildings, and lush vegetation. The plot itself is compact, measuring around 300 sqm, and is bordered by two of the city’s narrowest streets to the south and north, as well as a two-story boundary wall to the west. The buildable footprint is restricted to just under 30% of the plot, and the design must include two on-site parking spaces despite the limited access for vehicles.
The house is designed to meet the needs of a young family with two children, accommodating the following spaces: a living area with a kitchen and dining room, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a home office, ample storage, and a service room. Since the required program exceeds the available horizontal space, the house is developed vertically across three above-ground levels and a partial underground floor.
The house takes the shape of a series of stacked volumes that are set back at each floor to meet programmatic needs and comply with urban planning regulations. The building attaches to the existing boundary wall and incorporates organic setbacks, creating small green roofs on the upper levels. These setbacks also give the impression of a shallower volume when viewed from the garden level.
Given the eclectic and colorful nature of the surrounding neighborhood, a vibrant exterior felt appropriate. The chosen palette includes shades of red and pink, achieved by adding iron oxide to the concrete and cement-based renders. This color scheme harmonizes beautifully with the greenery of the existing vegetation.