Villas in Hvar island Croatia – Villa Perka
Our villa on Hvar island, Croatia, was built in the 1930’s by our grandparents, both of whom were born on Hvar island. At that time the family was engaged in wine production and olive cultivation. However, beekeeping was the mainstay of the family’s livelihood for years. Our grandfather was a leading member of a number of beekeeping associations in Croatia over the years, at both the regional and national levels, and he wrote expert articles for the magazine „Bee“ which was issued in the former state.
When first built, the villa was actually on the outskirts of the village, but over the last 30+ years, since the village has expanded to the south of Hvar island, to it’s coastal section, we are now right in the middle – between the northern – old part and southern – new part of the village, owning the only property in the area set on such a large plot of land.
We are very much grateful to our grandparents for choosing this location on Hvar island to build their home, for we consider the location of the villa itself to be one of it’s main advantages. Villa Perka first opened it’s door to guests in the early 1960’s. Since then it has undergone several renovations and expansions, the biggest being in 2007 when the entire interior of the house was reconstructed and converted into 3 comfortable flats. On the top floor of the house two penthouse flats with a separate entrance were built for the owners who live in the villa all year round.
In 2015./2016. we undertook a reconstruction of the landscape surrounding the villa. The entire area has been fenced off with a stone wall. Just as you enter the gate you arrive at the parking lot with 5-6 parking spaces, shaded by old pine trees. On a plateau only a few stairs below there is a 160 square metre children’s playground equipped with a slide, two swings, ladders and a seasaw. The pathway to the west leads to the outdoor common area – the highlight of the villa which boasts a 10×4 m swimming pool, a sundeck furnished with sun loungers, a porch with dining area and BBQ for preparing and enjoying meals right on the terrace surrounded by olive groves and lush Mediterranean vegetation. The entire space is super private with no neighbours overlooking the area, ideal for those wishing to relax and feel close to nature.
In planning both the interior and exterior of Villa Perka, we devoted a lot of care to designing a warm and cosy island ambience, an environment characterized by privacy and hominess “… for houses are just like people as they can be merely beautiful and still can make one feel estranged….it is the role of architecture to build relationships, namely, within the family, in the neighbourhood, in the city….the world cannot be changed through architecture, however, I am convinced that on the road to happiness, the architect determines a significant section of it….I am certain that in our interaction with space we become better persons …” – Dinko Kovačić, architect