House M

Most of the time a "place" inspires you (as an architect) to intervene elegantly and give it back the fresh breath it has lost.

Other times it doesn't...

On the other hand, the most interesting works are those in which you have limitations: neighborhood, height, relationship with light, legislation or sizing.

These limitations always require the intervention of the muse.

I will now reread some of what I wrote in my diary when I met her:

"The house I found here was well-behaved, dressed in a white gown, but a little chilly and a little tarnished with the things, of less use, gathered around it by the person who lived in it.

She was glad when we came and asked us to redo her "hat", to find her a warmer but breathable garment, and to give her the transparency she had long wanted.

She had no other demands.

We proposed variations and she accepted quite quickly to have neighbors dressed differently but matching, she accepted to see the sky from different points through the new hat, but she did not accept to become precious through big investments, but asked for innovative solutions. By this it had to become precious".

The result is a home that is more difficult to photograph, easier to perceive, labyrinthine but with hidden surprises, more difficult to maintain but delightful as a play of light, with many objects made from recycled materials but creatively assorted.

Authors: arh. Marius MiclăușProject team: arch. Zsolt Varday, st.-arh. Bogdan Raț, st.-arh. Mihai UngurStructure: eng. Cristian PaladeInstallations: Sorin BorugaProject: House M, attic and extensionDesign: 2006Construction: 2007-2009Office: ArchaeusFloor area: Sd = 390 sq.m/S ground floor 165 sq.mOriginal floor area: 90 sq.m

Photos: Ovidiu Micșa