3LHD architects: house U on the dalmation coast

3LHD architects house U on the dalmation coast, dubrovnik
image © damir fabijanić
all images courtesy of 3LHD architects

built in the ploče quarter in dubrovnik, croatia, 3LHD architects designed ‘house u’ for a couple with two adult children who have their own families. two volumes have been placed atop the steep site, which overlooks the old city and lokrum island. a lush garden grown below on the hillside. the first volume is occupied by the parents, and the second accommodates two apartments, one for each child. they are connected by a wooden beamed pergola above a series of terraces, which serve for gatherings of the whole group.

a wooden pergola connects the two parts of the home
image © damir fabijanić

the volume set back on the site is composed of two apartments for the grown children and their families
image © damir fabijanić

the house facade is constructed out of locally quarried stone tiles measuring 8cm x 120cm. this proportion is enlarged for the strips of glass windows that look over the town and sea from all living areas, bedrooms, and the master bath. to ensure privacy, the smaller dwelling is positioned closer to the garden, and the multi-unit block has an angled facade. as not to block the view, the parents’ pool is placed below the terrace level, and the parking area is located adjacent to the road, hidden by the inclined ground plane. natural wood floors and garage doors finish the simple interior, where custom-made furniture maximizes space.

designed for a couple with adult children, two volumes of house U overlook the croatian hillside
image © damir fabijanić
 

terraces between the houses provide a large place for everyone to gather
image © damir fabijanić

the terraces frame views of lokrum island and the old city of dubrovnik
image © damir fabijanić

furniture is customized to maximize available space
image © damir fabijanić

mirrored glass doors enlarge the perceived size of the space
image © damir fabijanić

pulled toward the garden, the parents’ pavilion has privacy from their children’s apartments
image © damir fabijanić

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project info:

project title: house u
program: housing
status: completed
project: 2006 – 2012
construction: 2010 – 2012
location: croatia, dubrovnik
project type: commission
site area: 2,355 m2
gross floor area: 848 m2
volume: 1,101 m3
footprint: 468 m2
altitude: 89 m
author: 3LHD & ecoing
project team: saša begović, marko dabrović, tatjana grozdanić begović, silvije novak, ivana dabrović, kristina vidić, romana ilić, ines vlahović
structural engineering: KAP4 d.o.o. – nikola miletić
plumbing and drainage: avoka-ing d.o.o.
electrical engineering: IPZ-elektroinženjering 22 d.o.o.
hvac: mario josipović
pool systems: makro 5 d.o.o. – dragan zgaga
landscape design: ines hrdalo
general contractor: bastion d.o.o.