Black on White by Parasite Studio

Location: Timisoara, Romania
Year: 2012
Area: 2,476 sqft
Photo courtesy: Attila Wenczel/Parasite Studio
Description:

The main theme of the project – a dark box containing private spaces sustained by a series of white walls which delineate the semipublic spaces, is completed by the relations a contemporary living environment needs to establish to its environment, either built or natural. The system of courtyards together with the main living spaces mediates the transition between public and private, being made up in relation to the landscape and the natural light, designed to assure the intimacy, communication and exposure needed by a young family.

The whole space on the ground level, the exterior one of the courtyard and the interior one of the living areas is divided and ordered by a series of white walls that cross it, support the box that comprises the bedroom and split it into five exterior courtyards, differently orientated and having different degrees of permeability.

Seen from the outside, the interior functions are divided in two typologies: spaces of a strong public character, those of the day routine, located on the ground-floor, opened and fluid and the private spaces that host the night activities, located on the first floor and enclosed in a black volume. From the inside the delimitation is much more flexible and can be largely dictated by its users. The living room, kitchen and dining area are open functional areas contained by a large space, partially delimited by the white walls, similar to the courtyards.

On the ground floor the space remains fluid, white and strongly flooded by natural light, minimally furnished with simple volumes. The large windows allow almost complete opening, counting on the flexibility of the interior/exterior delimitation.