Zela House

“Balancing Urban Requirements with a Two-Family Living Program”

The villa concept began from the need to balance the urban planning requirements of the plot with the functional program of a two-family residence. The main challenge was organizing two independent dwelling units within a single architectural structure, without losing formal clarity and the identity of the building.

The villa is developed over three above-ground floors and one basement level, with separate entrances for each family. The ground floor is conceived as living space for the parents, with a direct layout and a strong connection to the courtyard. The first and second floors serve the son's family, creating a clear vertical hierarchy and well-defined privacy. The basement level contains service spaces, storage, and a home cinema room, freeing the upper floors for everyday residential functions.

Architectural inspiration came from the idea of a clear and readable volume, where masses overlap and are articulated according to function. The contrast between the solid base and the lighter volumes above reflects the programmatic division and creates a contemporary architecture that is calm and integrated into the urban context.