Nestled in a “classic” square, with no less than 6 floors, occupying a total surface of 1114 sqm, the Kensington house posed a great challenge to the team of architects and designers, while at the same time providing them with a wonderful playground for ideas. They chose to lay out all spaces meant for daily social activities on the first three floors, preserving the upper levels of the house as private, intimate spaces. Thus, the “living” spaces include a generous welcoming hallway and even a private mini-cinema that comes equipped with a pool table (just in case you hadn’t been teased enough thus far). The other two levels host five bedrooms (yes, five, for a single family), and the annex bathrooms.
In truth, the beneficiary’s brief was fairly simple. What he wanted was a house that would suit an “international couple”, with a large family. As far as looks go, he only had two requirements: that the house be decorated in light open colors, in a “funky” style. Raised up in the spirit of British tradition and having been employed by the “new” aristocracy, the architects of RHH came up with a concept for the interior of the house that is a modern version of 18th century England homes (the age of the first three King Georges), combining a classical aspect and proportions with cutting edge technology and comfort standards worthy of the 21st century.

In a country where 56% of the territory is covered in forests and impressive stretches of land are granted the rank of European natural reservations, it would seem almost natural for architects to build in the spirit of the land, with respect for the Earth and certainly to stay well clear of any dissonant notes and disruptive elements. The post 1990 transition period (with all its repercussions – economic, social, educational etc.) did not – fortunately – succeed in destabilizing the delicate balance between the environment and the functional architecture of the 60s and 70s Slovenia. It did, however, allow an entire generation of architects to speedily adapt to new realities – realities which, cleverly interpreted led to the development of a new set of formal languages, influenced by technology, design, art and fashion.
The Enota office, one of the most valuable contemporary architecture offices in Slovenia, fits right into this trend of creatively reinterpreting the notion of architectural continuity. Founded in 1998 by Milan Tomac and Dean Lah, Enota’s approach to architecture is simultaneously critical and open, based on promoting collective study as the key to finding solutions to problems facing contemporary society. From the onset, the Slovenian team has placed heavy emphasis on researching the relationship between architecture and the environment and has tried to “propose”, on a local level, projects based on algorithms derived from nature or highlighting architecture’s adaptability to the nature surrounding it.

The large surface occupied by the building led to the choice of the "U" shape, in order to allow good lighting and ventilation for all the interiors. The volumes were developed from a simple concept, of clearly outlined surfaces, with vibrant edges and well-executed details. The materials - glass, stone, white finishings - as well as the technologies used, are German, architect Cristian Ghitau having worked in Germany for 15 years. The overall direction of the composition is a horizontal one. The entrance is marked through a retreat from the plan of the main facade and a play on materials and colours: white, gray, brown. The building is relatively compact, with several intentional "accidents", meant to break the monotony: a small balcony with a glass parapet, external relief frames for the windows, a glass facade sliding into the ground, the marital bedroom built in console. The interiors, as well as their outlines on the facade, were conceived at a human scale, with proportion as the essential criteria for the design.

A graduate of the Faculty of Architecture within the Polytechnic University in Timisoara, Marius Miclaus has worked with important local practices, as well as international ones (in Germany and France), before starting his own practice, Archaeus, in 1997. The experience he gathered, as well as his activity as a teacher, are found in the maturity and professionalism with which he approaches his projects, regardless of their type. His worth as an architect is also proven through the awards he's won in public competitions and national exhibitions.

"Archaeus was born of Eminescu's prose... perhaps it was meant from the beginning to create poetry, but a poetry of the space[...] In fact, research and experiment are the two aspects that define our project. Generally, we have seaked simplicity, the elegance of proportions, the vibration of natural materials, the inseration of nature in architectural spaces, with light acting as a scenographer. A wide palette, where hierarchy results from the given situation".

In 1987, when Tibor Kalnoky, a descendent of an old noble Transylvanian Szekler family, returned to Romania after almost 60 years of exile for his family, the “stone piles” left by his ancestors helped him not only to trace back his roots, but to enlighten him about his own identity. Until then, as a child, then a teenager, he grew up moving with his family from country to country: America, The Netherlands, France, Germany, and Hungary. He still finds it difficult to answer the question of where is he actually coming from. He was 21 when he came to Transylvania for the very first time. Arriving in Miclosoara(Miklosvar), he knew right away: this is his homeland; this is the place where he wishes to settle, to have a family, to raise his children. And for that, he started by building a nest. The hunting lodge that once belonged to a branch of the Kalnoky family, after years of abuse and neglect during Communism, was now just a glorious shell. In 1997, together with his wife, they decided to buy a farmhouse right in the middle of the village of Miclosoara and, working with local craftsmen, they turned a sad-looking dilapidated house into a welcoming, charming home.