Small Architectural Studio | Studio nada

The plot is located in the outskirts of the village of Karpachevo. An old two story adobe house and a stone barn are present in the yard. It is surrounded by a dry stone fence and follows a slight slope to the southeast. Main characteristic feature of the terrain are the old walnut trees, under which shadow is located the studio.

The initiation of the project followed the need of the owners for a separate personal artistic space for work and recreation. The clear floorplan structure and the open sunny spaces of the atelier offers shelter, comfort and creative atmosphere for its inhabitants.

The creation of a simple, honest and clean space is the very essence of the project. The use of materials in their ‘raw’ natural look are a harmonic addition to the rural surroundings. Clay used to be a main building material of the houses in the village. In this context the ceramic blocks of which the studio is constructed act as a contemporary interpretation of the traditional building technique. The used materials: ceramic bricks, timber, plywood and visible concrete combine in a clear, harmonic integral structure supplementing the visual characteristics of the location.

The studio provides a simple and humble/unpretentious way of life in harmony with the natural surroundings, facing all the needs of the contemporary lifestyle.

The building is inseparable part of the environment and in constant dialogue with the key elements, contributing to the unique character of the site/location – the dry stone walls, the old walnut trees, the adobe houses.

Following the sustainability principles the architectural design incorporates several main aspects: flat green roof, use of recycled materials, natural light, specific design of the wall and roof systems in search of maximum energy efficiency. The walls are triple layered constructed of inner and outer ceramic brick layer and an stone wool insulation in between.

The glazing on the south-east façade frames the view towards the broad hills of the Devetaki Plateau allowing a maximum amount of natural light in the interior. The sunlight in combination with the unobstructed views fade the inside-outside boundaries and integrate the interior as inseparable part of the exterior space creating a sense of life close to the nature.

The building is a metaphorical bridge between the traditional and the contemporary architecture, consisting of symbiosis of spaces inspired by the vernacular architecture and designed to face the needs of the nowadays life. The small nooks for reading, rest and contemplation create a special atmosphere and enrich the interior space.

In the spirit of this metaphorical link is the very construction of the building. An old Bulgarian tradition existed back in the days, where family members, neighbors and friends altogether took part in the building process. Following this custom the two owners built the studio on their own with the help of their closest relatives. This act of up-building makes a reference to the immovable cultural heritage and the material culture of the region.