Hiiumaa villa
Hiiumaa Villa is a distinctive single-family home with an exceptional floor plan and striking architectural features, forming part of an existing farmstead. Its architectural inspiration comes from the historic thatched log houses found in the area, which have strongly influenced the design of the new building. At the same time, the house distinguishes itself through a contemporary architectural language, combining traditional reed and timber with glass, copper, and black charred wood.
The spatial layout is clearly divided into three wings. One wing accommodates the main living spaces, the second is dedicated to the children's rooms, and the third provides a private retreat for the parents. All three wings converge in a central connecting volume, which contains the entrance hall, walk-in wardrobe, and other shared spaces.
The living wing includes the living room, an open-plan kitchen, and a glazed winter garden that serves as the main dining area. The winter garden ensures year-round use: during winter it becomes a bright, plant-filled space, while in summer it opens into a terrace that feels like a seamless extension of the surrounding landscape.
The children's wing features bedrooms on the upper floor overlooking the double-height space below. It also includes a dedicated children's living room, designed as a place for play and shared activities.
One side of the parents' wing consists of a spacious bedroom connected directly to an en-suite bathroom. The opposite side contains a generous home office, where floor-to-ceiling bookshelves emphasize the room's verticality and openness. From the desk, the view extends toward a charming birch grove.
The building's exterior combines both traditional and contemporary materials. The three gabled wings are clad with reed roofs, while the lower central volume features a green roof. One of the project's most distinctive architectural details is the use of copper ridge caps on the reed roofs. Copper offers excellent protection and helps preserve the thatch. In addition to its natural corrosion resistance, rainwater carries copper ions from the ridge across the roof surface, slowing the growth of moss, algae, and certain fungi, helping to keep the reed roof cleaner for longer. Copper is also highly durable in a wide range of climates and weather conditions.
To maximize natural daylight, the house incorporates generous glazing, further emphasizing its contemporary character. Another defining feature is the use of black charred timber, inspired by traditional Japanese architecture.
Parking is located away from the house, and a winding footpath through a meadow of native plants leads visitors to the entrance, creating a gradual and immersive arrival experience.
Architect: Mari Hunt
In collaboration: Nele Šverns
Status: project 2017, under construction
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