A new villa built on the Island of Hvar in Croatia used natural materials such as stone and wood to blend completely into the natural environment.

Architect Damir Rako explained that the virgin nature of the site inspired them to design the project in such a way that the environment would be barely touched. Conceptually, the monolithic concrete structure of Villa Amalia was separated into several pavilions to allow guests to experience nature. The facade material, colour and texture have been adapted to the environment, giving the impression that they have always been a part of the landscape.

The choice of wood was defined by the economical-ecological motives of the project. The use of wooden panelling, due to its simplicity of delivery, allowed significant savings in transport. Additionally, the facade could be assembled quickly enabling rapid completion of works to get the building ready for use.

The combination of stone and wood has ensured the intended natural atmosphere in the villa while also helping achieve significant savings in cost and time. The architectural composite wood cladding system from Innowood was used extensively in the project.

Villa Amalia owner Kristian Curin observes that the materials from Innowood have provided warmth and natural charm to the whole project.