H'vösvölgy (lit. Chilly Valley) is a quiet residental area in the II. District of Budapest, among the gentle hills of Buda, the western side of the city. The cca 1000 sqm plot is bordered by forest and a little creek - an ideal place for a calm, friendly and private living space.
The building is organized by a longitudinal axis which connects the public space on the front (street) with the private area and the creek/forest at the far end of the garden. The rooms are threaded onto this line. The openings of the building follow the same principle: more closed on the front ' a narrow, high opening (creek) marking the entrance ' and gradually opening toward the back, opening for nature.
Building an eco-friendly modern house was the owner's firm commitment having a direct influence on the design: the main axis separates the top floor into two blocks with a long skylight that helps in heating up the house in winter, while shadowed by trees in summer. The swimming pool is heated by sun collectors. The black stone of the facade was originally meant to be photovoltaic panels - but the local sonlight parameters did not make economically viable. The building is highly insulated and also has a ventillated facade which protects it from overheting under direct sunlight.
The material usage reflects the surrounding nature: wood and stone combination. The basement level has a darker, antrazit stone cladding giving the house a stabile base from which the wooden top emerges.
The house has three floors plus a cellar below.
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