Casa Ombra di Nebo
Casa Ombra di Nebo


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Type: Private Residential
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Size: 593 m2
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Location: Istria, Croatia
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Year: 2025-2026
The project, at the ancient Roman crossing on the Istrian coastline, is inspired by the area’s rich history as a mining, fishing and wine-making hub with a Venetian heritage. The mature olive, pine and fig trees and the remains of a historic well combine with the modern tectonics of the Villa, an interplay between the contemporary and the timeless.


While sheltered from indiscreet views as a Roman castrum once was, the project creates a sense of space and freedom once inside its confines. The precise positioning of the Villa allowed for unrestricted views of the Raša bay and the surrounding mountains.






The Villa’s design is organised around four monumental skylights, one of which is the central feature of the extensive three-story library, inspired by a coalmine shaft. The interplay of natural light and shade creates a dynamic ambiance through the day, balancing climate-responsive form with off-the-grid solutions.


The panoramic windows into the forest and the sea allow the communion with nature. The spacious but minimalist design uses materials indigenous to the Istrian peninsula, reusing the stones from traditional partition walls that once subdivided farmers’ plots on the property.