Rogač House stands in the town of Vis. Indeed, the architects built it on a steep plot on the northern slope above the Vis harbour and the historic town centre. Numerous century-old carob trees surround the site, and the house opens toward the magnificent view of the idyllic bay and the sea. As a modern stone house on Vis, the project by Studio Archaos was conceived from the outset as part of the landscape it inhabits.

An Archetypal Stone Volume

The archetypal monolithic volume of the house, executed in roughly hewn stone, rises from the natural topography of the slope and dense vegetation. Its form also recalls a defensive Vis tower located nearby.

Openings in Dialogue With the Surroundings

The arrangement of openings on the stone façade follows a careful gradation of views and privacy. This applies equally to the interior spaces and to the external terraces, loggias, and balconies. As a result, the house keeps a continuous and strong dialogue with its surroundings, balancing introverted and extroverted spaces. The smaller, playful deep-set openings create a sense of shelter. In contrast, the larger openings connect to outdoor spaces and frame spectacular panoramic views.

Stone and Concrete as the Material Backbone

Local Vis stone forms the primary construction material, so the house feels secure and stable. Meanwhile, polished concrete shapes the terraces, balconies, the bridge, the pathways, and the roof. Together, these materials connect to the memory of traditional construction, combining the archaic stone with the contemporary concrete. As a fragment, the house respects the formal and structural links to the historic town centre. This makes it a recognisable example of contemporary Croatian architecture.

A Bridge as the Only Access

The main Vis bypass road runs along the southern side of the plot. Because the site sits on such a steep slope, the architects designed a concrete bridge as the only access to the house. Therefore, the south façade faces the road with just two openings. The bridge marks the main entrance, while a long external staircase, carved into the terrain, marks a second, quieter entrance.

BIG SEE Architecture Award

In 2025, Rogač House received the BIG SEE Architecture Award in the residential houses category. This recognition confirms that the house stands out even in a regional field of architecture.