The project investigates the refurbishment and second resettlement of a group of four wooden Romanian traditional houses. The houses, originally built in one of Romania's most identitary regions, Maramures, were later resettled to the southwest, in Salaj, and are now to be relocated in one of Apuseni mountains most picturesque villages: Smida.
The project revolves around an ethical question... how to dis-ambiguously resettle the 4 houses? How would one know that these houses didn’t originate in Smida and are not representative for the Apuseni mountains region...
The construction element that ‘roots’ houses to the ground is the plinth... Typically, Romanian traditional houses from northwestern Transylvania have a rusticated stone plinth that roots them to the ground. The weight and texture of the said plinth together with the materials and finishes of the typical traditional Romanian houses transmit a sense of belonging, off ‘rooting’ to the ground, to the region.
The project, therefore, approaches the four houses as museum exhibits. As such it proposes a different type of connection to the ground, a different type of plinth inspired by the ones used to display exhibits in museums around the world. Through its materiality, steel, and its configuration, much like a display tray, it manages to dis-ambiguously present the four new houses for what they are - resettled houses from a different region.
The four houses are carefully placed on the site in regards to its morphological particularities, existing vegetation and cardinal orientation so as to offer a maximum of intimacy while benefiting from the sun and scenery at the same time. The layout of each house respects the traditional two or three rooms layout infusing it with contemporary comfort. The disambiguation continues on the interior of the houses where contemporary elements meet traditional materials and techniques offering modern everyday comfort without diminishing the sense and authenticity of the rural escape.
Design Team: Paul-Mihai Moldovan, Anamaria Moldovan, Gloria Gagu, Adrian Urda
Collaborators: eng. Radu-Lucian Pop, CSP Proiect Line, eng. Lucian Axinte
Design Year: 2017-2019
Status: Building Permit
Execution | Completion year: 2020
Location: Smida, Cluj County, Romania
Gross area: ca. 370 sqm
General Contractor: TBD
Text: ateliercetrei
Photographer[s]: -