Villa Domes is a compact family house in Trușeni, Moldova, designed by Maxim Calujac to maximize spatial quality within a 200-square-meter footprint. The project is defined by a sculptural concrete entrance and a sequence of truncated dome-shaped skylights that bring natural light deep into the interior. Organized around a central living space without traditional corridors, the house promotes fluid movement and strong visual connections to the surrounding garden. A restrained palette of concrete, corten steel, glass, and wood creates a balance between structural clarity, warmth, and a close relationship with the landscape, resulting in a calm and functional contemporary home.
Architects: Maxim Calujac Area: 200 m² Year: 2022 Photographs: Oliegh Bazhur Lead Architects: Calujac Maxim, Alina Ocuneva Landscape Architect: Irina Dubinschi Electrical Engineer: Andrei Gurulea Plumbing / Ventilation Engineer: Anatolii Slesenco Structural Engineer: Iurie Platon City: Trușeni Country: Moldova
Nestled in a small holiday village near Chisinau, the capital of Moldova,
Villa Dome stands as a quietly expressive residence designed for a family of four.
On a compact site of just 200 square meters, this project by Maxim Kalijac redefines spatial
experience by integrating landscape, structure, and daily life into a single coherent composition.
The moment you approach the house, the entrance captures attention.
A sculptural concrete portal appears to float,
its undulating form carving both aesthetic presence and structural purpose.
This expressive element not only anchors the façade,
but also contributes to the structural stability of the building's lightweight metal frame.
The exterior envelope uses a restrained material palette,
weathering court and steel, concrete, glass, and wood that evolves over time as the materials age
and interact with the environment. These choices reflect a sensibility
that balances permanence with quiet natural patina.
The roof structure features a sequence of truncated pyramidal domes that function as
skylights. These geometric forms bring shafts of daylight deep into the core of the house,
animating interior spaces with shifting light and shadow throughout the day.
Central to the spatial organization is the elimination of conventional corridors.
Instead, the living room becomes the heart of the home,
serving as the primary axis through which all other spaces are accessed.
This approach promotes fluid movement and visual continuity throughout the interior.
Inside, walls are clad in warm wood panels, creating a tactile contrast with expansive
glass walls and the cooler concrete surfaces. This interplay of materials shapes an atmosphere
that feels both grounded and spacious, without resorting to visual excess.
Large glazed openings establish an uninterrupted visual dialogue between interior and exterior.
The garden becomes more than a backdrop. It permeates living spaces, offering shaded
play areas for children in summer and reinforcing a sense of connection to the natural world.
The planning logic also thoughtfully positions functional zones.
Utility and service areas are set near the entrance,
while bedrooms face the southeast garden, ensuring privacy and sunlight throughout the day.
This careful orientation enriches both comfort and performance within a modest footprint.
Villa Domes ultimately demonstrates how architectural restraint and spatial
clarity can create a home that feels larger than its physical dimensions.
By weaving structure, light, landscape, and materiality into a unified experience,
this residence offers enduring lessons in how modern design can shape everyday life.
