proarh envisions concrete family retreat as artificial grotto on the croatian island of vis

architecture office proarh has completed the issa megaron, a family retreat on the croatian island of vis that exists in complete symbiosis with its surrounding topography. envisioned as a residential ‘pocket’, an artificial grotto, or a memory of a primitive shelter, the house combines reinforced concrete with stone from the site for the cladding of its facade.

photos by damir fabijanić

proah‘s intervention in the existing landscape is unobtrusive in intent, material and appearance, completed with a sequence of successive green terraces. consisting of two levels, the residence encloses a dining area, kitchen and lounge in one open space on the ground floor that is linked to the pool deck and terraces, and the sleeping quarters together with an additional lounge on the first floor.

the zagreb-based office has built the house on a site without any infrastructure or sufficient accessibility, meaning that self-sustainability was a key parameter. the issa megaron is designed with natural cooling and ventilation systems, rainwater exploitation, solar panels, and other elaborate ways of making the most out of natural resources, enabling the residence to function as a place for life.

project info:

name: issa megaron

type: single family house

location: vis, croatia

site area: 70135.0 m2

gross floor area: 485.0 m2

client: private