Eth | Alexandru Zingaliuc

E-House is the concept of a single-family house in which the emphasis was on site integration and following the principles of sustainability and ecology. The desire of the clients to be close to nature is thus reflected by the choice of the site for the future home. It is located in the suburbs of Chisinau, on the banks of a river, on a sloping plot of land, bordered by currently unbuilt lots. The analysis of the position and characteristics of the site was an important step in the realization of the future housing concept, from this analysis showing the spatial, functional configuration and its aesthetic aspect. The size and proportions of the site, as well as its slope, were the first decision factor, its elongated and narrow shape led to the need for longitudinal development of the project and an inline configuration of functions.

The second important factor is the immediate approach and opening of the main side of the site to a heavily circulated artery, which led to the closure to the street, through a completely opaque facade. The closing walls in this case have the role of both the visual barrier to ensure privacy and the sound barrier, to combat intense noise. The decision to close completely to the street was also influenced by the position of the site in relation to the cardinal points, so that this side of it was directly oriented to the north, which allowed the total closure without affecting the distribution of natural light. And on the contrary, the opposite facade, the completely south-facing one, is absolutely transparent, this decision combining in it both the needs of natural lighting of the space and orientation, this facade opening towards the river, thus visually communicating with the landscape.

From a functional point of view, the house is divided into two areas that can be accessed separately from the main entrance hall and which communicate with each other through a gallery. The first area contains the master bedroom, which can function independently of the rest of the house, with separate access, wardrobe and bathroom. Due to its position, it is delimited with opaque walls by the rest of the house, having a high degree of privacy, but still enjoys the same view and opening to the river. The other area has an open plan configuration and contains a kitchen and living area that communicate with each other, as well as two separate bedrooms, one for guests and one for children. All rooms have direct communication with the outside and opening to the river. They also have a sun-protected area with a panoramic pool.

From the point of view of the materials used, the main material around which the concept of the house was developed is the rammed earth, which was chosen both due to its load-bearing characteristics and aesthetics. This material has many advantages: it has low embodied energy and requires less energy, it’s hygroscopic nature helps regulate de humidity in the building, it acts as a good insulator and keeps the interior warm in the winter , it’s sustainable and helps to avoid wastage of material. The other materials chosen, wood, metal and glass, have the role of completing the appearance of the red walls and not competing with them.

 Thus, the configuration, the development on a single level, the natural and transparent materials determine the perfect framing in the landscape of the house.