Unique Hidden Croatian Island Villa Wins International Architect Award

Villa Issa Megaron (Photo credit: Miljenko Bernfest/Proarh)

A unique hidden villa on the Croatian island of Vis has won the prestigious The Plan architect award.

Villa Issa Megaron on Vis, designed by Davor Mateković from Proarh architect studio in Zagreb, has won The Plan award in the VILLA – Houses with gardens categories.

The 485-square-meter isolated villa, located in Dračevo Polje on Vis, is almost completely hidden as the architecture blends the house into the hills.

Due to plentiful sunshine hours, solar panels were the obvious choice of electricity and heating source, while the drinking water, swimming pool, solar fluid, and irrigation is designed to come via rainwater. The olive grove is designed for passive cooling, where the dense shade creates colder air that functionally cools the house.

The house consists of two levels – sleeping quarters/lounge on the first floor and downstairs open space dining/kitchen/lounge area opened to the covered and uncovered terraces and pool deck.

All the bearing elements are made of reinforced concrete. Stone from the site was used for the facade cladding whilst wood for the pool terrace, floors and shutters for sun protection were sourced locally.

Read more about the award and project here.

(Photo credits: Miljenko Bernfest/ Damir Fabijanić /Proarh)