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HOUSE B

ZALĂU, ROMANIA

completed, 2022

House B is located in a newly developed area of Zalău Municipality following an atypical urbanization process compared to built environment developments over the past 30 years. This urbanization features wide streets with sidewalks on both sides of the roadway, separated by a strip of vegetation.

The positioning of the house on the generous plot—gently sloping toward the city—was planned to highlight the existing views from both the interior spaces and the adjacent outdoor areas. The mature vegetation was preserved as much as possible and integrated into the exterior landscaping.

The interior functional layout was designed with careful consideration of the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. The natural slope of the terrain introduces dynamism into the transition between the day area and the night area, with the main entrance located at an intermediate level between these two zones.

The functional sequence of the day area focuses on creating a fluid space—kitchen, dining area, and living room—subtly defined by archetypal elements: a two-sided fireplace and a solid wood table, the symbolic hearth of the home.

The volumetry of the house aims to achieve functional separation of the landscaped plot, ensuring degrees of privacy specific to individual living: the entrance area—the interface with the public domain, the protected courtyard area, spaces shielded by the structured vegetation (in the area of the master bathroom and the main bedroom), and the open land area for various family activities.

The finishing materials were chosen based on criteria of durability and longevity: natural stone, wood for carpentry and interior finishes, and metal for exterior joinery exposed to the elements.

arch. Octav Silviu Olănescu
arch. Anamaria Olănescu

Colaborators:
eng. Ovidiu Rusu
eng. Mihai Stănuș
eng. Cornel Stanciu

photographer : Alexandra Țâmpău