VILLA MARTINUZZI, CROATIA

COMBINING NEW MATERIALS WITH OLD

This villa is a good example of a successful combination of Swisspearl panels with stone. A dialogue occurs here between the two interlocking materials, contrasting textures, and corresponding color tones.

When undertaken carefully, combining traditional and modern elements in the renovation of historic buildings can result in wonderful living spaces. A prime example of this is Villa Martinuzzi by Tobis Engineering, located in Pula, a picturesque seaside town in Croatia known for its protected harbor, beach-lined coast, and Roman ruins.

The aim of the current owner of the villa, a young businessman from Zagreb, was to renovate it in a manner respectful to the existing 1890 house without being a slave to historical design codes. The challenge for project architect Nataša Jozipović was to find a balance between the charming historic house and a contemporary intervention. Forty-five-centimeter-thick stonewalls create a solid, rustic plinth for the lightweight first floor, which is clad in Swisspearl panels.

The ground floor accommodates a modern kitchen, original staircase, bathroom, bedroom, living room, and dining room. A section of the pitched roof is glazed, allowing natural light to filter through the hallway on the upper level all the way down to the ground floor. The upper floor contains two bathrooms and three bedrooms. The interiors are minimalist with industrial details, as is often seen here, in the Istrian region. A color palette of white and light gray plays an important role in creating bright interiors.

Object
Villa Martinuzzi, Pula, Croatia

Location
Pula, Croatia

Client
Ladonja turizam d. o. o., Zagreb

Architects
Tobis Engineering, Zadar and Zagreb; Nataša Jozipović

Photos
Vjekoslav Skledar, Zagreb

Building period
2013 – 2014

General contractor
Gecko d. o. o., Belgrade

Façade construction
Imal plast d. o. o., Osijek

Façade material
Swisspearl Reflex Champagne 9290

Izvor: Swisspearl

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