A modern twist on history: The Brown Beach House Croatia
While trying to maintain a feeling of the early 20th century, the architect of a deluxe Croatian resort chose black and white marble for the inside of the outdoor pool
The Brown Beach House Croatia is a 25-room and suite property — fusing Mediterranean-inspired design and resort aesthetic with a luxurious full-service spa — along the Adriatic Coastline in Trogir, Croatia. Trogir, considered a popular yachting destination and ancient harbor town, is also deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site. Being just five kilometers from the Split airport, the Brown Beach House Croatia has a convenient location within the city. The property sits within a meticulously restored edifice built in the early 20th century that once housed Dunhanka, a landmark tobacco storage facility. Amsterdam-based designer Saar Zafrir’s overall goal was to maintain the feeling of the era in which the building was originally built in 1900, but to design it with a modern flare.
The poolside area of the resort, as well as the lining of the pool, was constructed with black and white marble, inspired by the grandeur of the Roman Empire that held control of Trogir throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. “The client was initially afraid that the marble would damage after a period of time, but I worked with the marble company to find the exact fit that would sustain wear and tear,” said Zafrir. “The building was originally built in the year 1911, so the marble feels authentic to that time period and makes it appear as though the swimming pool was built with the building.”