- Project: Zatoka House
- Architect: Arkhitekton
- Location: Serbia, Ostrovica
- Year: 2023
- Area: 80 m2
- Photography: Relja Ivanic, Aleksandar Nakic
A Mountain Refuge Crafted by Hand
Nestled in the mountainous landscape of Ostrovica, Serbia, Zatoka House by Studio Arkhitekton stands as a quiet testament to architecture’s potential to coexist with nature rather than conquer it.
This small vacation home, carved from the earth itself, embraces a minimalist form rooted deeply in local craftsmanship and material honesty. Built by the owners in collaboration with the local community, the project redefines the notion of sustainable living through handmade architecture and site-born materials.
The result is a structure that blurs the boundaries between natural formation and human creation — a true dialogue between mountain, river, and stone.
Built From the Land
Every aspect of Zatoka House originates from its immediate surroundings.
The site lies near a local quarry, which supplied nearly all of the stone used for the structure and landscape. Gravel and acacia wood from nearby forests were used for pathways, terraces, and furniture, while fallen elm trees were repurposed into outdoor seating.
This approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also builds a deep material continuity between the home and its environment. The walls, floors, and even built-in furnishings tell the story of a region, crafted through local knowledge and shared labor.
Design Simplicity, Structural Ingenuity
Despite its seemingly simple “box” form, the design addresses complex geotechnical and climatic challenges.
Set against a steep slope with a river below, the site posed risks of landslides and surface runoff. The solution came from collaboration with local builders and residents, who contributed to stabilizing the terrain and improving the surrounding infrastructure before construction began.
The result is a compact and resilient structure anchored in the mountain, yet visually light — an object both of the land and upon it.
Spaces of Reflection and Creation
Within its modest 80 m², Zatoka House unfolds as a multifunctional interior — at once a family retreat, creative studio, and meditative refuge.
Open-plan living areas encourage flexibility, allowing the space to adapt between domestic routines and artistic pursuits.
The owners, both passionate photographers, designed the house as a sanctuary for creativity, where shifting light and shadow animate the raw materials. Every opening frames a dialogue between interior calm and the dynamic natural world outside.
Material Soul and Atmosphere
Inside, the material palette mirrors the landscape: stone walls, wooden ceilings, and earth-toned textures create a tactile, grounded environment. The interior ambiance evokes serenity — quiet, cool, and deeply connected to its surroundings.
This is not a house that dominates its site, but one that listens to the rhythm of the mountain and river, integrating seamlessly into the cycle of the seasons.
With Zatoka House, Studio Arkhitekton demonstrates that profound architecture need not be monumental in size — only in spirit.
Through local collaboration, handcrafted materials, and deep ecological respect, the architects have created a dwelling that belongs entirely to its place.
It is architecture as landscape, as memory, and as living craft — a reminder that the most sustainable form of design begins with listening to the land itself.
