Soleta VANAU, Europe
Europe, Romania · 342 m² · Signature · three levels
- Location
- Europe, Romania
- Year
- 2015
- Area
- 342 m²
- Collection
- Soleta Signature
- Energy
- A+ · Near-ZeroEnergy
- Foundation + Basement + Ground Floor
- Reinforced concrete and masonry — technical specifications for a seismic area.
- Exterior cladding
- Natural stone
House Soleta VANAU presented a rare challenge: a flat site, with strict planning requirements for a setback from the edge of the lake and seismic conditions. The brief was to create a home that felt rooted in the landscape — not imposed upon it.
The structural solution uses a combination of masonry and reinforced concrete with an extended post-and-beam glulam frame, with cantilevered sections that minimise ground contact and reduce visual mass. The visible glulam elements gradually integrate the building into the character of the neighbourhood.
Full-height glazing on the façades and side elevations frames the surrounding landscape like a living artwork. Triple-glazed units with thermal breaks ensure envelope performance down to -25°C; the house is heated by a heat pump.
The VANAU house site sits at 240 m altitude, on the north-eastern side of Bucharest, on the edge of the lake. A location with calm views, weeping willows, swans, and blooming water lilies. Planning restrictions imposed a maximum ridge height of 8 m and the mandatory use of natural cladding materials.
The design brief was precise: a home that deserves its place in the neighbourhood without announcing itself ostentatiously. Privacy, longevity, and thermal resilience were non-negotiable.
The house includes a large upper-floor terrace overlooking the lake, with a cantilevered zone on the eastern side that maximises the viewing angle towards the water.
The broad glazing is executed in triple glazing with thermal breaks at every joint. The glazed façades make the building perform symmetrically in relation to the sun and prevailing winds.
The natural stone exterior cladding was a unanimous choice: its beige-grey tones are perfectly assimilated into the surrounding neighbourhood and require virtually no maintenance. The upper part of the house preserves the warmth of timber through its finishes.
All timber in the upper-floor structure is glulam, specified for load classes compliant with seismic standards. The post-and-beam joints are left visible inside, bringing warmth and structural legibility to the open-plan living space.
"We wanted a house that truly deserved its place on this extraordinary site. Soleta understood that from the very first conversation."
Soleta VANAU obtained planning approval on the first submission — a result the local architect attributed to the clarity of the material palette and the restraint of the massing. Build time, from foundation pour to handover, was 22 weeks.
The house has been through many winters so far without requiring major heating costs. Energy bills are approximately €220/month during full winter occupancy.
Challenge
A benchmark site at 240 m altitude, with strict height limits for planning approval, moderate snow loads, seismic conditions, and the requirement to use only natural materials for finishing.
Approach
An extended Soleta Signature construction solution, with wide cantilevers on the eastern side. Natural stone cladding chosen for durability against weathering. South façade fully triple-glazed across its full surface.
Outcome
Planning approval obtained on the first submission. Construction completed in 22 weeks. Energy bills of approximately €220/month during full winter occupancy — with no supplementary heating during the shoulder seasons.
- 342 m² — Signature frame with alpine extension
- Natural stone — zero maintenance
- 22 weeks from foundation to handover
- Near-ZeroEnergy at a design temperature of -25°C
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