MDP House / Vinklu

Architects: Vinklu
Area: 122 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Vlad Albu
Manufacturers: Cesi, Inco Industry, Topciment
Lead Architect: Stefan Pavaluta
Builder: Red Cons
City: Alexandru cel Bun
Country: Romania

MDP House, designed by Vinklu, is a ground-floor residence located at the border of Piatra Neamț. This architectural project offers a multifaceted experience by integrating contextual, morphological, and visual elements. Situated on a sloped terrain at the end of a street, the design strategically leverages natural topography and sun orientation to enhance the living experience. The house features a perimeter veranda that merges indoor and outdoor spaces, providing each room with direct access to the outside.

MDP House, situated at the border of Piatra Neamț, provides an “everyday” experience layered on multiple levels: contextual, morphological, visual, and positioning on the plot. The house is positioned at the end of a street behind the “State Reserves,” on land with a natural slope divided into two portions with a steep level difference from the access side to the base. Sun orientation and context significantly influenced the house’s final positioning.

The design follows the principle of a house without hallways, creating a woven, sculpted space. Functions are oriented well towards the sun while also being shielded from neighbors. To emphasize ground-floor living, a perimeter veranda dissolves the boundary between inside and outside, protecting the facade from weather and direct sunlight. Each space has direct-level access to the outdoors. The house’s final positioning was determined by considering topography, orientation, access, and family needs, resulting in a layout based on a regular grid and a structural principle of rigid “rooms.” The living room’s placement in the south corner finalized the design. All windows are uniform in size except for the panoramic window in the living room and one in the master bathroom.

A key feature of the project is the vertical development of the living room, which continues the “compression” of the living space. The pathway from the entrance to the final view offers a dynamic journey, culminating in a panoramic window that enhances the spatial experience. This interior route consists of various functional spaces that expand, focus, and open to different areas and light, providing a living dimension beyond mere walls and doors.

The entire project was executed with local materials and teams. The superstructure is a timber frame construction with an external finish of naturally aged thermo-treated pine, defined by the regular structure of the veranda with open corners. The house is designed with future development in mind, with the roof height accommodating a potential attic. A place for a swinging staircase is provided at the end of the dining area for this purpose.