Pension on the shores of Lake Mostiștea

" student-architect Mihaela-Andra VELICU

" supervising staff: prof. dr. dr. arh. Cristina Olga GOCIMAN

"lect. dr. arh. Elena-Codina DUȘOIU

" asist. drd. drd. Ana-Maria DOBRE

Website

Located on the shores of Lake Mostiștea, in the village of Gostilele, Călărași County, the guesthouse developed on approx. 500 m2 proposes a return to tradition and the re-establishment of the human-nature connection. Because architecture should not dominate nature, but communicate with it, the project seeks to integrate as harmoniously as possible into the landscape.

The slope of the land towards the water of about 10 m allows a wide V-N-E view of the lake. Access to the site is from the Fundulea-Măriuța county road, which connects DN3 to DN2.

Formal concept

Compositionally, the project is both an interpretation of the particular situation of the site, resulting in privileged orientations and openings, and a plastic interpretation of motifs such as the hay hut, a local natural element. In this way, the aim was to recall the un-evolved hut-type dwellings using a contemporary approach. The construction principle is based on ecological materials, wood and earth, the structural elements are made of wood, the finish, both exterior and interior, is made of woven walnut, and the interstitial space is filled with earth.

Spacio-functional design

With regard to the volumetric layout, it was decided to arrange the accommodation units in a pavilion system, which also provides additional privacy. In the context of the village, the ensemble can be perceived as an organic detachment from the landscape, with continuity between the built and the natural environment.

The proposed ensemble enjoys the advantages of a site free from the constraints inherent in the existence of other buildings, but at the same time respects the tradition of living in the lowland.

The final composition is composed of a mono-volume of reception and restaurant and accommodation units, interconnected by a pedestrianized arrangement that also serves the restaurant, functioning as a terrace. The access to the reception and bar area is strongly marked and serves to energize the composition. Placed above the restaurant, this rectangular parallelepiped is the volume that clearly distinguishes itself from the rest of the composition.

In terms of functional components, the accommodation units present two typologies: family units, with double accommodation modules, and single units. Daylighting is mainly zenithal, through skylights at the upper base of the accommodation modules. For both typologies, the night area was laid out in such a way as to maximize the use of these skylights.

Of note is the relationship that is established between the built mass and nature in that it offers different experiences from the usual buildings with straight walls and angles. Surroundings are used to the advantage of the built space; the environment is not adapted to the building, it is the building that is shaped to preserve the natural environment. The purpose of this construction, tectonic after all, is not to live under, in or on top of the earth, but with it. In this way it also benefits from balanced temperatures, being cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

The setting on the site, the orientation towards the landscape, the road and pedestrian accesses, the spatial conformity make the guesthouse a polarizing presence for the inhabitants of Bucharest who are eager to practice sport fishing or to relax.