River House

River House

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The ‘River House’ is a summer house planned on a site that overlooks one of the wild rivers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Due to the strict planning constraints, the key requirement was a creative approach to efficiently use a narrow site area available for building, while making the most of its stunning natural setting.

Cantilevering the upper floor towards the views of the river allows for a more generous living space, with smaller bedrooms, utility areas and covered terrace at the ground level. The house nestles into the terrain and trees, blending into its natural landscape.

A large central covered outdoor balcony at the upper floor connects the living and dining areas, expanding the useable area while encouraging outdoor living in the summer. This diffuses the boundary between nature and architecture.

Incorporating balconies and terracing into the house, above the flood plain, and sensitively stepping down to the river bank through the garden creates a physical, as well as visual, connection to the river.

One can go for a swim, and walk freely between the river, terraces, and living room, creating a holistic interconnected experience of living with the river.