maxim calujac frames picket villa in moldova with sculptural concrete beam
villa acer fuses minimalist geometries with comfort + warmth
situated on a picturesque hill in hincesti, moldova, villa acer is a bespoke house designed for a middle-aged family. the 135 sqm residence was completed by architect maxim calujac, offering a pleasant balance between minimalist geometries, comfort, and warmth.
the house features two main areas: the bedrooms, bound by a corridor to grant owners privacy, and an active social area hosting the kitchen/ dining/ living room. the latter is met by a glass curtain wall that offers a pleasant view of the landscape — creating a gentle dialogue between villa acer’s geometry and its surroundings.
all images © etalpmet
framing + shielding the house with a sculptural concrete beam
wanting to cut off construction time and offer a sustainable and simple design solution, calujac (see more here) built the core of villa acer using a wooden framework carried by a slab foundation. the facades are essentially covered with warm-toned ayous thermowood, exuding a homely and personal touch to the overall design.
framing the wooden volume is a concrete beam that sits in front of the main facade like an undulating sculpture. seen from the road, the beam shields the house from unwanted sights, while its curved profile highlights the villa’s rectangular lines and adds to the balance of contrasts.
the gap leading to the main entrance
knit together: a peaceful, sober space connecting to the land
the minimalist approach also appears in the choice of interior finishes; the architect covered the walls with wooden panels, shaped the floor with polished concrete, and elevated that overall neutral tone with distinct furniture accents. as calujac puts it, ‘everything is knitted together to end up in a space that does not burden day-to-day life.’
finally, as this is a place for rest, the family wanted to preserve the main characteristics of the terrain. this would allow anyone who visits villa acer to find themselves peacefully connected to the roots and the land.
facades covered with ayous thermowood
backyard view
the contrast between concrete and wood
concrete beam detail – front view
concrete beam detail – side view
wooden walls gently balanced by a polished concrete floor
project info:
name: villa acer
area: 135 sqm
year: 2020
location: hincesti, republic of moldova
architecture: maxim calujac
design team: iulia moscalet, irina dubinschi, roman lecari, andrei gurulea
photography: etalpmet
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edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom