Residence 18 explores the process of shaping a hillside villa through sketches, volumetric studies and renders, balancing terrain, geometry and human scale.

Residence 18 was conceived as a direct response to the dramatic topography of a hillside site overlooking the Kvarner bay. From the outset, the design process was guided by a desire to create a house that would not dominate the slope, but rather follow its natural descent and open itself to the surrounding landscape.

The first phase of work was dedicated to sketches and volumetric studies. These initial explorations focused on how the building could step down the terrain without losing its overall coherence. By shifting and cascading volumes, the project gradually took shape as a series of connected forms that articulate both the geometry of the slope and the spatial needs of the program.
This iterative process revealed a strong organizing principle: a double-height living area as the central anchor of the house, around which other functions are arranged.
The living space becomes the core, directly linked to terraces and outdoor areas, while private rooms occupy elevated or recessed volumes to ensure both privacy and views.

Materiality and light were equally important considerations. Large glazed openings were introduced not only to frame the panoramic views of the sea, but also to allow daylight to penetrate deep into the interior. Rendered studies tested the balance between transparency and enclosure, showing how the house could remain open while preserving a sense of intimacy.

The exterior terraces and infinity pool extend the living experience outward, forming a direct connection between architecture and terrain. This layering of spaces – interior, semi-exterior, and exterior – reinforces continuity and creates a gradient of privacy throughout the house.

Throughout the design process, the project remained attentive to the balance between terrain, geometry and human scale. Rather than imposing a rigid form on the site, Residence 18 adapts to its context and derives its architectural identity from it. In this way, Residence 18 represents more than a single family villa: it is an exploration of how architecture can engage directly with landscape, forming a dialogue that is at once functional, spatial, and deeply rooted in place.