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Kuća Fotografa

The small stone house in the Croatian fishing village of Novigrad is known as “The photographer’s house”. The house was once the home and studio of Nikica Karavida, the first public photographer of the region during the 1920s and 1930s. During the war in Croatia the house was destroyed, and lay uninhabited until 2015.

Then the artist and designer Boris Kajmak renovated the house and turned it into a cottage for two. He preserved the original character of the house through the respectful treatment of the old building’s structure and fabric, and by the use of local materials and traditional furniture. Decorative elements were carefully integrated, such as the cube tiles with three-dimensional visual effect, which have been laid around the bath tub.

The cables and piping fixed to the walls also form a unique, geometric wall decoration. And the trapdoor’s rope hoist construction, with its large stone block as a counterweight, is an unconventional detail. As a tribute to Nikica Karavida, his photographs are spread all over the house. Unlike the secluded and private atmosphere of the interior, the courtyard opens to the neighbouring buildings and forms a sociable meeting point.

More Information and insights you can find in our HomeStory: House Whisperer – The Kuća project of the Croatian designer Boris Kajmak

Pictures by Tom de Gay

What to do

Swimming, hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing.

Why we like this house

Renovation with an artistic approach. A simple and rustic house with lots of character and unusual details.

This house is great for

Couples

Owner picture

Owner

Boris Kajmak is a Croatian interdisciplinary artist and designer who assimilates artistic thought into the architectural perception. Like with Kuća Kamena his creative process starts with the end product: consumption of the space. When renovating, non-tangible elements like sounds, smells and light define the structure.
His conceptual approach has generated sculptures, design, and architectural pieces that have been exhibited internationally since 1999. After graduating in printmaking at the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Mostar (BIH) in 2004, he obtained additional MA at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 2005, London (UK). Boris Kajmak currently lives and works in Rome, Italy.


Details

Region HR – Croatia, Dalmatia, Novigrad
Name Kuća Fotografa
Scenery In the historic centre of the small fishers' village very close to the water
Number of guests Suitable for 2 guests
Completed 2016
Design Boris Kajmak, Berlin
Published GEO Saison -March 2022, DIE ZEIT 42/2020
Specials A few steps away, the Kuća Kamena, also renovated by Boris Kajmak, can be found.
Architecture Historical, Old & new
Accomodation House
Criteria 1-2 (house/apartment), Art, Beach, Hiking, Lake/river, Sea, Urban
Same PartnerKuća Kamena
Same ArchitectKuća Kamena
www.kuca.design/kuca-fotografa

Availability calendar

The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with white background the accommodation is still available. On days with dark gray background the accommodation is not available.

Request/Booking

www.kuca.design/kuca-fotografa

5 Comments

Stefan S. sagt:
Wir hatten herrliche zwei Wochen im Kuca Fotografa, diesem von Boris so wundervoll restaurierten und eingerichteten, kleinen Haus mit den vielen Details im kleinen, verschlafenen Fischerdorf. Der freundliche Kontakt zu Boris, zu Antonija vor Ort - mit der Möglichkeit mit Ihr und Familie einen Bootsausflug zu machen, ein Gespräch mit den Nachbarn im Innenhof, all dies ist mehr als ein Urlaub in einem beliebigen, nur eben schönen Haus. Auch bietet sich Novigrad als Ausgangspunkt für zahlreiche Ausflüge an. Alles kann, nichts muss. Ein idealer Ort um zu entspannen.
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Franziska sagt:
Schon seit 2 Jahren waren wir verliebt in das kleine Häuschen, aber immer war jemand schneller und hatte Kuca Fotografa schon für sich reserviert. Diesen Sommer aber klappte es und wir fuhren für zweieinhalb Wochen nach Novigrad. Zum ersten Mal total unvorbereitet, wir wussten gar nicht so recht, was uns dort erwarten würde. Nur, dass Winnetou in der Gegend gedreht worden war. Erstaunlich, dass wir trotz unserer Ignoranz dann doch noch fünf Tage vor unserem Eintreffen registriert haben, dass es sich um das dalmatinische Novigrad handelt. Denn Kroatien hat ganze vier Novigrads im Angebot. (Wie wir später erfahren haben, ist das ein häufiges Missverständnis und einige landen tatsächlich in Istrien.) Wir sind uns nicht ganz sicher, woran es liegt, dass wir so schnell loslassen konnten: War es unser Unvorbereitetsein, der Charme des verschlafenen und zauberhaften Städtchens Novigrad, das Häuschen, das Boris ausgesprochen liebevoll instandgesetzt und eingerichtet hat, vielleicht aber auch Antonija, die sich immer aufmerksam um unsere Anliegen gekümmert hat, oder doch die Herzlichkeit unserer Nachbarn, die uns mit offenen Armen in ihren Kreis aufgenommen haben? Keiner der Punkte wäre wegzudenken aus diesem wirklich perfekten Aufenthalt. Danke für alles, wir kommen wieder!
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Beate+Michael sagt:
Wir kennen und lieben sowohl die kucakamena als auch jetzt die kucafotografa: beide sind so schön! Zierliches Meissen und wunderbares Holz, behauener Stein und weißes Leinen-lokaler Wein, Olivenöl und frisches Brot - und dann vielleicht noch ein fangfrischer Fisch: Perfekte Ferien
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Funmi & Tilo Bello sagt:
We stayed at Ku?a Fotografa for two weeks during August with our 6 months old daughter. We still remember the moment we arrived at the house. We instantly felt at home and were stunned by the beauty of the place. The attention to detail and the love for traditional craftsmanship found here are incredible. Every single piece, from tiles to cutlery, seems to have been selected with purpose and merges into one composition. Each morning we woke up to a perfectly arranged pattern of natural light on the stone walls which contributed to this special atmosphere. These massive walls also keep the house pleasantly cool during daytime and the patio is the perfect outdoor living room at night. We just love this place and are longing to come back to Novigrad, where time is actually moving a little slower than where we are from :)
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Hedi Reuther sagt:
Nach zweimaligen Besuch in kucakamena waren wir im Oktober 2016 in kucafotografa und tauchen als erstes in die wunderbare Badewanne ein, da draußen sintflutartiger Regen ans Haus prasselte. Dann wurde auch der Bollerofen in Gang gesetzt und bald war es warm und gemütlich. Der nächste Tag war wieder strahlend blau und der Cappuccino an der Uferstraße ließ den neuen Tag beginnen. Auch ein Morgenbad im Meer war drin, allerdings nur für finnlanderprobte Reisende. Wir kommen wieder.
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