In a place that takes the breath away — high in the mountains, amid staggering views and centuries of history — a new tradition begins: the reimagining of the historic Hutsul house.
This is not, it should be said, simply the work of architects. It is a dialogue between the house and the vision of its extraordinary owners — Yura and Natalka Mashkov, together with Emil Dervish and Ia Turabelidze.
The house is, at heart, a project for dreamers — those who find, in the preservation of the past, an inexhaustible source of beauty and inspiration.
We were struck by how much the rhythms and rituals of a Hutsul home echoed those of an old Japanese house, and so weaving these two cultures into a single space felt entirely natural. This is a house made for contemplation - for letting the exterior dissolve gently into the interior.
This is not, it should be said, simply the work of architects. It is a dialogue between the house and the vision of its extraordinary owners — Yura and Natalka Mashkov, together with Emil Dervish and Ia Turabelidze.
The house is, at heart, a project for dreamers — those who find, in the preservation of the past, an inexhaustible source of beauty and inspiration.
We were struck by how much the rhythms and rituals of a Hutsul home echoed those of an old Japanese house, and so weaving these two cultures into a single space felt entirely natural. This is a house made for contemplation - for letting the exterior dissolve gently into the interior.
We removed half of the existing first floor, opening the living space to air and light, and cut new panoramic windows that draw the mountains in.
The original log structure was preserved, along with its authentic wooden “gonta” shingle roof, and local materials were used throughout -while the interiors were layered with contemporary pieces and vintage finds.
But the house only truly came alive once it was inhabited — filled with the objects and everyday belongings of the people who call it home. Every texture, every colour, every small detail now carries meaning; together, they are what make a house feel like rest.
