‘HOUSE RESTAURATION_P’
Type: Restauration
Area: 90 sq.m.
Project: 2019
Stage: In Construction
Intervention in a house built in technology and material that’s nowadays forgotten or replaced is really challenging and exciting. Especially when this is a 100% ECO material that is currently put on multiple studies and experiments. The material is adobe or a mud-brick, a mixture of loam, mud, sand, and water mixed with binding straws.
This segment of our work tells the story of an ongoing renovation of a 1924 traditional adobe-brick house. The dwelling is located in Petkovo, Elin Pelin. With our first observations and preliminary studies of the site, we acknowledged that the existing house and barn are perfectly situated on the estate. Furthermore, they hide great potential, space qualities, and functional arrangements. That’s how we formed our concept for restoration and exposing the old traditional typology but at the same time adapting to the contemporary seekings.
Like any other intervention in a past time dwelling, we face the generation conflict, the time and dynamics difference of now vs. then. Typical for its time and purpose the original floor plan layout is segmented into five small rooms with an outdoor toilet. Vestibule and small kitchen are divided by a single wall which we demolish. We unite four of the rooms into one hybrid space that can be separated partly with sliding doors. We find a place for a bathroom and toilet in the northeastern part of the dwelling and we remove a later-adapted extension in the house entrance. In its place, we design a winter garden pavilion that connects the house and the yard.
Like any other intervention in a past time dwelling, we face the generation conflict, the time and dynamics difference of now vs. then. Typical for its time and purpose the original floor plan layout is segmented into five small rooms with an outdoor toilet. Vestibule and small kitchen are divided by a single wall which we demolish. We unite four of the rooms into one hybrid space that can be separated partly with sliding doors. We find a place for a bathroom and toilet in the northeastern part of the dwelling and we remove a later-adapted extension in the house entrance. In its place, we design a winter garden pavilion that connects the house and the yard.
Full roof reconstruction, steel frame reinforcement of the basement central structural beam, reinforcement of the authentic ceiling, new floor construction, underfloor heating, new staircases to the basement and ceiling, new ceiling construction, and thermal insulation, are just part of the finished and upcoming works and activities.
During the demolishment stage, we saw and loved the wooden beams used for the original roof ceiling and walls. Having in mind the concept of uncovering the characteristics and specifics of the traditional building typology we decided to develop a ceiling detail where they stay exposed. First, the beams needed polishing, repairing, spraying, and oiling. We designed and developed a wooden frame module with a gypsum bottom, light enough to mount after assembling and finishing from beneath. The Frame beams had to go under three different mechanical preparations in order to reach the needed precision. Implementing the detail in all rooms creates a bespoke visual identity and plays a huge part in the symbiosis between old and new.
The successful combination between authentic materials and traditional typology with the contemporary understanding of good compositional, visual and technological qualities gives an end result that cant be achieved in other conditions. A result that makes us question when are we supposed to demolish and when to build our architectural heritage.
