Located on the threshold between open terrain and dense woodland in the Minsk region of Belarus, Splitting House by ZROBIM architects reconsiders the relationship between domestic architecture and the natural environment. Through a minimalist yet spatially expressive approach, the project articulates a series of volumes that negotiate function, light, and context with measured precision.
Splitting House Technical Information
- Architects1-4: ZROBIM Architects
- Location: Minsk region, Belarus
- Gross Area: 147.3 m2 | 1,585 Sq. Ft.
- Completion Years: 2024
- Photographs: © Ksenia Varavko
We aimed to create a house that doesn’t dominate the landscape but becomes part of it: where each volume responds to its function and the forest beyond.
– Yuliya Baryliuk, ZROBIM Architects
Splitting House Photographs
Architectural Intent and Conceptual Foundations
The conceptual basis of the project stems from its adjacency to the forest. Rather than imposing a singular gesture onto the site, the architects chose to fragment the house into a constellation of interconnected forms, each corresponding to a specific spatial program. This compositional strategy not only breaks down the overall mass of the building but also facilitates a clearer relationship between the interior function and the external condition.
The pitched-roof typology, typically associated with vernacular housing, is reinterpreted here as a means of generating both internal spatial variation and external formal clarity. The rooflines define each volume while establishing a rhythmic profile against the wooded backdrop. This synthesis of architectural clarity and contextual responsiveness underscores the project’s broader objective: to situate the domestic interior as an extension of the forested exterior.
Spatial Composition and Interior Organization
The spatial logic of Splitting House is grounded in sectional manipulation rather than planimetric complexity. The primary volumes, housing the living areas, kitchen, and bedrooms, are unified by their sloped ceilings, which not only accommodate increased vertical volume but also provide opportunities for enhanced natural illumination.
In the bedrooms, glazing is discreetly inserted beneath the roofline to channel diffuse light into the space without compromising privacy. The living area, in contrast, opens vertically into a one-and-a-half-story volume, incorporating a mezzanine above the kitchen. This vertical extension generates a sense of openness uncommon in structures of this scale, allowing for the flexible use of space without subdivision.
Circulation flows logically through the volumes, reinforcing the hierarchy of public and private zones. The absence of corridors and transitional spaces maintains a sense of spatial economy while enhancing the continuity between functional zones.
Splitting House Material Palette
The project’s interior materiality draws directly from its forested context, with a palette that balances natural tactility and formal restraint. Green tile and green-tinted veneer are applied with restraint, offering a chromatic reference to the surrounding landscape. These surfaces are complemented by warm-toned wooden slats, which introduce rhythm and warmth into the interior.
Flooring throughout the house is rendered in a cool gray poured finish that approximates the texture and tone of natural stone. This surface acts as a visual anchor, grounding the lighter elements above and reinforcing the house’s connection to the earth. The materials are selected not for ornament but for their ability to contribute to the atmospheric experience of each space.
Lighting is used with a similar degree of intentionality. Fixtures from AROMAS, CENTRSVET, GROK, FLOS, and VITRA are placed to support the spatial narrative rather than distract from it. Their subdued forms and directional capabilities allow light to articulate surfaces and frame zones without dominating the interior.
Splitting House Image Gallery
About ZROBIM Architects
ZROBIM Architects is a Belarusian architecture and design studio recognized for its minimalist, context-sensitive approach, which emphasizes clean geometry, functional clarity, and strong connections between the built form and its natural surroundings. The firm works across residential, commercial, and interior projects, often exploring the interplay of light, material, and spatial hierarchy to create thoughtful and enduring architecture.
Credits and Additional Notes
- Lighting Fixtures: AROMAS, CENTRSVET, GROK, FLOS, VITRA
- Rug: FERM LIVING
- Tile: MARAZZI (Lume Collection)
- Furniture: DAINEKO (Coffee Table), SOFACLUB (Joker Sofa Bed)
