Conceived as a rural homestead, a residential project by RDTH architekti, New House with Old Mill juxtaposes the charm of the old with the new, as the name suggests. Three unequal gable roofs give form to the private residence, which incorporates an existing mill on site, located on farmland in Opatova, Slovakia. “An old mill stands by the stream. A young family decides to settle here. A new house is being built on the floor plan of the original chicken coops and sheds. The new objects respect the original ones in materials and forms, without fear of today and its needs,” the architects mention while describing the project that is defined by a reconfiguration of spaces.

Apart from the existing farm buildings on site, the plot itself proved to be a challenge for the residential design. To accommodate different functions, the house was designed with a V-shaped planning scheme with the new space for the family home conceived of near the stream. While most of the existing structures were removed, the mill was partially preserved to maintain a rustic essence given the context. The home and the mill are connected by a parking structure that doubles as a storage space. Due to the unusual planning, a partially enclosed garden space is created on-site where the family can enjoy a quiet moment in the open. The interplay between the existing and new is skilfully orchestrated in the residential architecture through the use of material, where timber used in the new structures is juxtaposed with the stone architecture of the mill.

To highlight the rusticness of the existing mill while updating it, the exterior walls were treated with a rough lime-cement mortar finish. This space was envisioned to function as a gathering place for the family. As the architects explain, apart from the external walls, the roof and flooring for the mill had to be completely replaced for it to be usable. While the mill serves as a communal area used occasionally, the main residence consists of a common living and dining area, a kitchen, three bedrooms and a study. Each has been designed to ensure that it provides views of the landscape design, with each opening framing the greenery or the mill. While the mill is purposely designed to feel rustic, the contemporary interior design of the house gives it a sleekness meant to contrast its rural context.

The walls and ceilings are white and smooth. However, some areas expose the wooden CLT panels to create a sense of material harmony with the existing wooden structure of the mill and the facade. The façade design for the home consists of thin slats of larch that envelop the structure, creating a distinctive look while ensuring a sense of privacy for the residents. As the architects mention, the volumes of the residential architecture are planned so that one moves from intimate spaces to larger common areas with these opening out to the courtyard.

While the residence and mill bracket the greenery, a parking structure connects the two. Designed as a storage space for garden tools and bikes, it is constructed with long glued beams supported by slim steel columns, that also extend from the family house to the mill. The idea was that the binding beams of this structure would be strong enough to carry the load of any eventual extension if needed in the future. The emphasis on carpentry in this space is an aesthetic consideration for the overall project as well, imbuing the spaces with a rural charm while making them feel cohesive. Further, the mill, the new house and the parking roof are covered with the same terracotta roof tiles giving the entire design the look of one space when viewed from the street.

Through subtle interventions that tie together the seemingly disparate structures of stone and timber architecture, the refurbishment project creates a cosy home for a new family, while preserving and respecting the character of the original. The design not only refers to the local architectural language but also enhances a certain character in the spaces. The apparent imperfections of the existing and the conscious use of masonry and timber, all add to a sense of rustic charm that allows the home to blend into its context yet stand apart.

Project Details

Name: New House with Old Mill
Location: Slovakia
Year of completion: 2022
Site area: 1173 m²
Built area:
160sqm (family house)
95sqm (parking structure)
65sqm (mill)
Collaborators:
Landscape architect: Land05 [Martina Forejtová]
Structural engineering: Rudolf Babulík, Jan Čadílek, MIRHAUS
General contractor: MIRHAUS