Situated on the outskirts of the Rhodope Mountains near the city of Plovdiv, beside a river, the house faces a beautiful panoramic view.

The design is defined by the careful balance between the proportions of the large flat roof with photovoltaic panels and the arrangement and orientation of the rooms. Three schemes have been developed in search of the best solution.

The photovoltaic panels, capable of producing 30 kW of energy, are a key requirement of the client. To achieve the desired power, 60 panels are needed. Their size and arrangement defines the form and the dimensions of the large flat roof. Besides, the terrain slopes down to the opposite direction – north.

The chosen scheme is a house, consisting of two volumes – a single- and a double-storey one. This layout provides a clear and logical functional arrangement. The single-storey volume contains the day zone – a living room with a dining area, a fireplace, and a kitchen. It has a high space with a clear height of 3.40 m. The rest of the ground storey is used for a guest suite, services, and storage. The upper storey contains the night zone – a master bedroom with a walk-in closet, two identical bedrooms for the kids, a master bathroom, and a childrens’ bathroom.

The large cantilevered eaves, a consequence of the large flat roof, provide natural protection from the elements, like the local traditional houses. They stop the high and intense summer sun and prevent overheating but let the low winter sun pass under and heat the interior.