CONTEMPORARY “CHALET JELOVAC” | STUDIO SYNTHESIS architecture & design

Chalet Jelovac is a family house for leisure and research work of architect Sonja Radovic Jelovac, PhD, Principal of Studio Synthesis Architecture & Design from Montenegro. This architectural realisation is example of successful integration into specific and sensitive landscape in the vicinity of Park Forest in Dulovine Village in Kolasin at the north of Montenegro, at altitude of 1000 m. Chalet is positioned along linear row of larch forest (lat. Betula alba verucosa) which gives this location special authenticity and colourful diversity generated through changes of seasons.

Key to architectural concept was strengthening relationships of nature vs culture, and private vs public through adaptive resilient solution and different usage in extreme weather conditions, especially in winter time, indoor and outdoor, which can integrate different programmes and activities of socio-ecological significance.

The Chalet is designed and realised as multi-purpose building to be used by the architect’s family during summer, winter and weekend holidays, but also for research work and architectural workshops during summer architecture schools. From the completion of realisation until this day, this idea has been realised on multiple occasions so educational character of this building will continue in future through different academic and institutional cooperation. The Chalet receives a lot of visits from lovers of modern architecture despite its remoteness from the centre of the town, while proximity of Biogradska Gora National Park, the only remaining pristine forest in Europe, and precious Botanical Garden near in immediate vicinity of the Chalet offers numerous advantages in geo-strategic sense. 

 The main goal in creating the concept was good visual, spiritual and physical connection with the unique ambiance through sensing the nature and its processes. The building has a compact form with stress on simplified volumetry of the black roof made of galvanised sheet metal which descends all the way to the terrain level on the front-south and the rear-north façade.  The east and the west facade are coated in battens of different widths made of “lučevine” (conifer type of wood) and shutters which fully follow the distribution of the risers on the facade. The aim of such intervention was to create in the winter time the impression of “openless” house similar to haystack when all the shutters are closed.

 Multifunctionality is achieved with the abundance of contents for stay and socialisation in the building through four levels total area approximating to 300 msq and outside the building through attractive landscape area around 900 msq. The basement and attic spaces are planned for the atelier, library, space for workshops and research-creative work, while the ground floor accommodates: spacious living room with large glazed surfaces, kitchen, entrance lobby, restrooms and wardrobe. Terraces at the ground floor are covered with overhung roof planes and form continuous connection with the living room and the dinning room. This ensures extension of these functions for the external usage even at unfavourable weather elements. The first floor accommodates three thematic comfortable rooms with unique “framed” landscape, through abundance of openings and light they have. Given that external walls are 40 cm thick, with bearing profiles made of timber and aluminium with integrated smart home heating and cooling system, Chalet Jelovac is one of successful examples of energy efficient building in Montenegro.

* Nominated for the  winner LOOP Design Awards 2023

*  Winner - London International Creative Competition 2022 - Category Professional Best in Build (Architecture)

* Second place in the category of international residential projects at ‘CEMEX Building Awards

* Winner - GERMAN DESIGN AWARD 2020 as the winner in category Excellent Architecture!

* Winner - Architecture Masterprize 2019

* Winner - Big SEE Architecture Award 2019 | residential architecture | 

* Winner - BIG SEE WOOD Award 2018 | residential architecture | 

* Shortlisted in category Completed Project for the S.ARCH Award 2018
* Nominated for the winner in the Private Homes category for BIG SEE Wood Award 2018

* Nominated for the winner in category Wood in Architecture at WAN - World Architecture News Awards 2017