EXE Architecture Studio

House In Divcibare

HOUSE IN DIVCIBARE

EXE studio

House In Divcibare
© EXE studio

ARCHITECTS
EXE studio

PHOTOGRAPHS
Relja Ivanić

AREA
76.0 sqm

YEAR
2015

LOCATION
Divčibare, Serbia

CATEGORY
Houses

House In Divcibare
© EXE studio
House In Divcibare
© EXE studio

Text description provided by architect.

The house is located near the popular tourist resort Divčibare, on the slope of Mount Maljen in western Serbia.

Although the plot has been overrun with small pine trees, it still bears the original character of the open field.

To minimize disturbance to the site and as a reference to the surrounding hilly terrain, the house is built into the hillside.

House In Divcibare
© EXE studio
House In Divcibare
© EXE studio

Designed by combining the two main monolithic volumes, light & dark. These forms merge with the natural environment of low pine vegetation and steep rocky terrain.

On the south side, the white portion of the house connects to the outside through a grand picture window, which guides the transition from the artificial to the natural.

This side's exterior is finished with white ceramic tiles, which emphasizes its form and gives reference to the interior function of combined kitchen, dining and living area.

House In Divcibare
© EXE studio
House In Divcibare
© EXE studio

The white cladding makes this volume abstract and opposite to the rural surroundings.

The black half of the house draws inspiration from original mountain homes.

The porch is bounded on one side by the white volume, creating a sheltered outdoor space. Up on the first floor is the open bedroom area providing complete privacy from other spaces.

House In Divcibare
© EXE studio
House In Divcibare
© EXE studio
House In Divcibare
© EXE studio

The structure is emphasized through the use of natural materials such as the traditional timber shingle cladding.

Through the duality of the house, with two main volumes; the intent was to merge the traditional and the contemporary to create a unique aesthetic and a structure sympathetic to its surroundings.

The process of construction was challenging due to the inaccessibility of the site and the relatively low budget.

House In Divcibare
© EXE studio
House In Divcibare
© EXE studio

The material selection was made based on an appreciation of economy, durability and to compliment the form.

Sourcing timber from local forests and utilizing other local materials was a must.


House In Divcibare
First Floor Plan
House In Divcibare
Second Floor Plan


House In Divcibare
Section a-a
House In Divcibare
Section b-b
House In Divcibare
Site Plan

EXE Architecture Studio
T +381 64 2081212
EXE Architecture Studio
Belgrade, Republic of Serbia