House for an Artist | Parasite Studio

House for an Artist represents a refined architectural intervention on a heritage building that, despite its modest dimensions, embodies remarkable complexity. Within the framework of this project, an existing residential building underwent a spectacular metamorphosis, transforming into the creative dwelling of an artist and their family.

Situated in a residential context in the southwestern part of the beautiful city of Timișoara, in the picturesque Iosefin neighborhood, our goal was to gracefully integrate this architectural creation into the familiar urban landscape. The original building, with a single story, has its roots dating back to around 1930. However, due to its deteriorated condition, a radical intervention was required. The old structure was reconfigured and expanded by adding a new ground-floor volume, as well as a mansard roof, in order to meet the demands of contemporary living and cater to the needs of the artist and their family.

Due to improper modifications in the 1990s, which included inadequate extensions and the addition of extra floors, as well as subsequent interventions by former owners, the building was left without interior finishes and internal carpentry elements. Furthermore, the exterior carpentry facing the courtyard was in such a degraded state that it could not be salvaged. Nevertheless, we managed to preserve the original elements of the carpentry on the main facade, adding a touch of authenticity and history to our project.

Because the building had undergone significant alterations over time, both structurally and functionally, our proposal aimed to bring the building back to a purer form, while retaining the authentic elements of the main facade. This facade, now the distinctive feature of the house, was the sole aspect that retained its original form. To achieve this transformation, the first stage of the project involved the partial demolition of improperly added areas, allowing the building to regain its authentic appearance. Additionally, the roof structure was partially demolished and then reconstructed in line with its original form, featuring a double-pitched design, to reintegrate the building into the urban context in a more harmonious manner.

Through the expansion of the house, a new entrance element was created, strategically positioned toward the street. A new volume was added, housing an entirely new living area, as well as a staircase leading to the basement and a spacious mansard. This new entrance element, attached to the existing building on its left side, presents a sincere and contemporary aesthetic, so as to be perceived as a new and utilitarian addition, while also defining the street facade in an innovative way.

Regarding the interior layout, the ground floor of the building hosts various functional spaces, including the kitchen with a dining area, a bedroom with a private bathroom, and a library, where a newly proposed staircase leads to the mansard. The staircase doubles as a vertical library, constructed from lightweight white metal structure and laminated beech plywood elements that form both the steps and the book supports. In the mansard, two bedrooms, a bathroom, an office, and an open space that can serve as a secondary living area were created. The choice to highlight the spaces through modern design and the strategic use of a color palette contributes to the creation of a welcoming and attractive atmosphere.

The architectural interventions for the expansion were conceived in a contemporary style, utilizing slender structural elements to create a strong visual contrast between the massiveness of the existing building and the proposed new volume. This creates a harmony between the traditional and the modern, the historical and the innovative.

In conclusion, "Casa pentru un artist" exemplifies the creative transformation of a traditional building into a contemporary space that inspires and encourages artistic expression. The fusion between the authentic character of the main facade and the modern design of the expansion underscores the essence of our project, namely the harmony between the past and the future. Through the restoration and reinvention of this building, our aim was not only to provide a home for an artist and their family but also to offer a new form of architectural expression that preserves and celebrates local history and successfully integrates into the ever-changing urban landscape of Timișoara.