TEST CIVIC & CULTURAL

The main concern of the Valenjak 11 residential project, located on a 1,600 square meter site, was to revisit and challenge the conventional definitions of three fundamental architectural elements: the void, the facade, and spatial dividers.
This approach sought not only to reinterpret these elements aesthetically but also to redefine their functional and experiential roles in residential architecture.
The effort to alter the conventional geometric form of the void in residential buildings was twofold. On one hand, it stemmed from a conceptual ambition to break away from rigid, traditional volumes often found in urban housing. On the other hand, practical constraints—specifically, the requirement to reduce floor coverage by 15 percent—became an opportunity rather than a limitation.

GALLERY

This duality allowed for the transformation of the building’s facade from a flat, two-dimensional surface into a dynamic and sculptural three-dimensional interface.
The result was an articulation of form that introduced depth, texture, and rhythm to the building’s exterior, fostering a spatial richness that extended beyond the purely visual.

This spatial openness led to the creation of diverse terraces that vary in size, orientation, and level, offering residents private outdoor experiences while enhancing the architectural character of the facade.
Simultaneously, the project questioned conventional notions of spatial dividers in residential design. While walls traditionally define spaces, this approach explored how voids and open areas—like terraces, courtyards, and corridors—could serve the same role. These outdoor elements, carefully aligned with the interior, offer spatial separation while maintaining a sense of openness and continuity, avoiding reliance on solid partitions alone.

This rethinking of spatial boundaries blurs the distinction between interior and exterior, encouraging a seamless flow between them. As a result, the project fosters a unique residential experience where architecture is in constant dialogue with the surrounding environment. The blending of built and open spaces creates a living environment that feels simultaneously enclosed and open, structured yet flexible. Through this integration, the design embraces natural light, air flow, and views as architectural components, enhancing both the environmental quality and the experiential richness of the home.

Valenjak 11 challenges conventional norms of residential architecture by reinterpreting voids, facades, and spatial dividers as active design elements. Regulatory constraints became opportunities to generate depth and fluidity, transforming flat surfaces into layered, livable spaces. Outdoor areas such as terraces and courtyards redefine boundaries, fostering continuity between interior and exterior. More than a formal intervention, the project creates a nuanced relationship with its environment—one that embraces openness, light, and spatial experience. As a result, Valenjak 11 offers a thoughtful model for future urban housing—responsive, human-scaled, and architecturally expressive.