GORGONA Architecture & Design, G House, 2008. Architects: Vladimir & Eugeniu Prodan. Courtesy: Gorgona AD.

When life revives architecture
The intention of Gorgona AD is to give breathe into the places through architecture. Although we consider each of our projects as a new challenge, the greatest one is to accomplish and inhabit those projects. We tend to say that there are thousands of questions that need to be solved in terms of architecture, but day-by-day we try to find answers to each of them.
One of our projects currently under construction is the G House, with the name deriving from its location, Goian, that took birth because of the beautiful landscape and a dream. Situated just at 14km from the Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, Goian was first mentioned in documents in 1603, while the location is a natural defile. Both landscape and village used to be a paragon traversed the river Ichel and surrounded by rocks and conifer forests. The story can be transposed to the country as a whole. Once a vivid village with traditions, the place does not seem to thrive any more. Mostly abandoned, traditional houses used to be inspired by natural conditions, particularities of the households that were conditioned historically and socially. The construction materials from which these houses were built were not intended to last through a life cycle of more than 150 years.
A traditional house was built to serve up to 3 generations, after which descendants would erect a new house for the current generation. In previous centuries, when time was passing slowly, the changes were also coming slowly. The house design models followed the previous ones, forming a respect for architecture as an unwritten law. Although quite similar, each house was adjusted and decorated individually. Like most of the villages, Goian is not elevated in order to not be easily seen by conquerors while being sheltered at the same time from the windy weather.
The 20th century, although full of events, has created a rift in the architecture of Goian. Traditional houses should be preserved, as they are part of the community’s tangible past. They are beneficial not only for the community’s culture, but can also become an incentive for the local economy if used for touristic purposes.
Although the G House acquired some of the elements of the traditional houses of the region, such as inclined roofs or front of the house terraces, the differences are major as well. The house is situated on a hill not far from the conifer forest as to take advantage of the striking panorama and fresh air. The windows are large enough to provide natural lightning and access to the landscape view. The whole building is positioned as to capture the impressive site from inside out.
Far from only solving a functional necessity, the G House was designed to impress, to make a statement for the location. The new house is a first step to revive the place and to create a new respect for architecture. Even the construction process was a major event for the village. It implied the use of new construction machinery and materials that locals could follow as an open-air performance.
Still, it is the new inhabitants of the G House to play the main role in the revitalization of the Goian, one of those moments when new life can revive architecture.