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The clifftop house
Matyas Borsos

The clifftop house

The project is located in a small village on the North-East coast of lake Balaton, an area with a unique topography. The plot is set atop the high limestone cliffs allowing an exceptional view of lake Balaton. The client requested a contemporary and naturalistic retreat with a strict connection to the surrounding natural landscape, upholding its values and oriented toward the breath-taking views.

photo_credit Matyas Borsos
Matyas Borsos
photo_credit Matyas Borsos
Matyas Borsos

In accordance with the client’s requirements, the ground floor comprises private functions such as bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, whilst the upper floor houses the kitchen, living room, and master bedroom facing the lake. In order to achieve the best panorama possible, the outdoor terrace was raised by half a level, this is also the place where the swimming pool can be found.

photo_credit Matyas Borsos
Matyas Borsos
photo_credit Matyas Borsos
Matyas Borsos

The main concept was a two-storey house where theground floor appears as‘a leftover limestone monolith’ on which the pavilionissituated. To achievethis effect on the plot, the terrain was manipulated in such way thatit was increased gradually all the way to the terrace height. As a result of the landscape design the ground floor seems like a partially buried limestone monolith. The loadbearing structure utilises a variety of different materials, as the ground floor is made from reinforced concrete while the upper pavilion is made from a lightweight steel structure. In consideration of the concept, the ground floor ‘monolith’ façade is made from limestone cladding, whilst the pavilion is made from anodised aluminium cladding. This aluminium façade is slightly glossy and reflective, and as a result, is able to reflect the natural landscape which isstunning regardless of the season or time of day.

photo_credit Matyas Borsos
Matyas Borsos
photo_credit Matyas Borsos
Matyas Borsos

Team:
Architect: KONTEXTUS architecture studio
Structuraldesigner: LAPIDARIUM structures
Construction detail designer:  Páricsy and Partners Architects
Landscape architect: GEUM 
Interior designer: PROJECT MA
Electrical engineer: Amperos
Mechanical engineer: Re-Aktív
Photography: Matyas Borsos 
General contractor: Toldy Consult
Structural contractor: JSP Builder 

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