Vila Bri Pays Tribute to the Authentic Dry Stone Wall

Project name: Villa BRI
Project author: Suzana Nikolić, M.Arch
Design team: Suzana Nikolić M.Arch, Adam Špehar M.Arch (Architecture Office Bionique)
Function: Rental villa
Location: Brijesta, Pelješac Peninsula, Croatia
Area: 380 m²
Design year: 2023–2025
Construction year: construction planned for beginning of 2026.

Site Description

Situated in the heart of Mediterranean nature on the Pelješac peninsula, the villa is conceived as a retreat that blends contemporary design with the unique environment of this remarkable region of Croatia. Designed as a rental property, it offers guests the opportunity to enjoy the richness of Pelješac’s landscapes — its mild climate, the sea, and untouched scenery abundant in native vegetation. The peninsula is known for the subtle aromas of pine, olive, lavender, and other aromatic and medicinal plants. Fresh air, gentle summer winds, long sunny days, and mild winters create an extended outdoor season.

This setting served as the main inspiration for the concept of Villa BRI. The aim was to provide maximum comfort to guests while maintaining an unobtrusive architecture, fully integrated into the landscape and respectful of local traditions and the character of the site.

The Immediate Site

The plot on which the villa is planned has a distinctive T-shaped geometry. From the outset, both the shape and the relatively limited size of the plot directly influenced the design, resulting in the villa’s elongated form. Particular attention was given to ensuring privacy due to the proximity of the access road.

Function

The interior of the villa is organized to provide a high level of comfort and privacy to all guests. The ground-floor apartments are arranged in a linear sequence, ensuring equal treatment for each unit and enabling direct access to the natural surroundings. This layout allows every apartment to enjoy views of the Mediterranean landscape, the sea, and the small nearby island of Kokošar.

At the end of a naturally lit corridor, a sauna and a gym are located for guest recreation. A “summer kitchen” is positioned along the exterior façade, providing an outdoor cooking area accompanied by a fire pit and an open-air jacuzzi.

The upper floor accommodates the shared living room, designed as a central gathering space. From here, guests access a spacious terrace with an unobstructed panoramic view of the Adriatic. The infinity pool — positioned on the upper level to avoid obstruction from the olive canopies — spans the entire length of the villa. Designed on two levels, the deeper section is intended for swimming, while the shallow section provides space for lounging in the water. The elongated narrow part visually extends toward the horizon, creating a strong connection between the architecture and the distant sea. The pool also eliminates the need for a protective terrace railing, keeping the view completely open.

A smaller, more intimate terrace is located on the villa’s southwest side.

The terrace canopy is designed to allow the easy installation of horizontal shading panels or movable curtains, protecting guests from excessive sun exposure and from low western sunlight. Although structurally divided into two segments, the canopy is conceived as a single architectural element that visually penetrates the building mass and appears on both opposite sides of the upper level.

A swing placed within the shallow part of the pool, together with the other amenities of Villa BRI, enhances the atmosphere of relaxation and offers guests memorable sunset moments.

 Architecture

The villa is defined by contemporary architectural language, characterized by clean lines and a restrained expression that highlights both elegance and functionality. Its form is shaped by the interplay of two contrasting volumes: a heavy, elongated rectangular block at ground level, housing the apartments, and a lighter, sculpted, perforated volume extending across both floors. The contrast and interpenetration of these elements give the house its distinctive identity while subtly integrating it into the Pelješac landscape.

Generous glazing opens the interior toward the exterior, maximizing natural daylight and creating a strong sense of connection with nature. A flat roof and minimal details emphasize the building’s contemporary character, while its material palette remains aligned with local building traditions.

 Interior

The interior is designed in a restrained, almost minimalist manner, with an emphasis on natural materials such as stone and wood, which add warmth and reinforce the connection with the surrounding landscape.

 Materials

The façade is clad in locally sourced natural stone. Its color and texture create a harmonious relationship between the building and its environment. In addition to its aesthetic qualities and respect for local construction traditions, this choice minimizes material transportation and reduces environmental impact.

Structure

One of the main challenges was the structural design of the villa, particularly the upper-level pool. The region is prone to seismic activity, requiring careful calculation of structural elements and control of deformations. The goal was to achieve an optimal number and arrangement of reinforced concrete components — minimizing the building’s carbon footprint while ensuring safety under variable seismic loads.

 Sustainable Design

From the outset, the project aimed to integrate green-building principles wherever possible. Carefully selected low-carbon materials, such as natural stone, contribute to the villa’s sustainability and can be recycled at the end of their life cycle.

Water is used responsibly: the villa incorporates a rainwater harvesting system complemented by water from a local well, both intended for technical use. Drinking water will be delivered to the site, as no public water network exists in the area. Guests are encouraged to use biodegradable hygiene products, and organic waste will be composted to minimize environmental impact.

Instead of a sealed septic tank, a bio-reactor wastewater treatment system is planned, enabling treated water to be reused for landscape irrigation.

Energy consumption is reduced through the use of solar panels and natural ventilation, supporting a sustainable approach based on renewable energy sources.

Existing dry-stone walls (suhozidi) found on the site — protected by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage — are integrated into the design. These walls, traditionally built without mortar using stones cleared from farmland, once defined property boundaries while simultaneously creating arable soil. Well-preserved sections will be kept, while damaged portions will be reconstructed.

The natural terrain and native vegetation surrounding the villa will remain untouched. Excessive paving or landscaping has been avoided in order to preserve the authenticity and biodiversity of the Pelješac environment.

The overhang above the apartment terraces, which supports the infinity pool, also provides shade and reduces overheating. 

Conclusion

The architecture of Villa BRI seeks harmony with nature through a carefully considered design that respects the Mediterranean landscape and the local context of Pelješac. The goal was to create a retreat that invites guests to experience the unique qualities of the region, offering a peaceful and sustainable stay fully attuned to the surrounding environment.