Alpine Barn Apartment by OFIS Architects

Architect’s Firm: OFIS Architects
Location: Bohinj, Slovenia
Program: Revitalisation
Client: Private
Area: 120m²
Year: 2014-2015
Type: Aparment
Status: Built
Project Team: Rok Oman, Spela Videcnik,
Andrej Gregoric, Janez Martincic,
Michele Albonetti, Maria Della Mea, Tomaž Cirkvencic, Pawel Nikkiel, Gözde Okyay, Roberta Costa,Maria Rosaria Ritonnaro, Ralea Toma Ioan Catalin, Grega Valencic, Vlad Popa, Tanja Veselic, Jade Manbodh
Structural Engineering: Projecta
Mechanical Engineering: MM-term
Electrical Engineering: ES
Lighting: Arcadia lightwear
General contractor: Permiz

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This is a close look at the front of the Farmhouse-style home with wooden exteriors and a walkway that leads to a covered main entrance.

The front of the wooden house has a tree and thick shrubbery that complements the simple exteriors.

The house also has a vegetable garden on the side with wooden fencing.

The has has a front porch with a wooden flooring to match the ceiling and the wooden beams.

The wooden beams serve as support for the large glass wall behind it by the main door.

Upon entry, you are welcomed by this simple wooden foyer with a consistent wooden tone to its floor, walls and ceiling.

This is a look at the great room that has exposed support beams on the ceiling and walls giving it a unique look.

This is a look at the great room that houses the dining area and the bedroom on the far side.

The light wooden dining table matches well with the floor as well as the platform bed on the far side of the room.

This is a closer look at the exposed beams of the walls that extend to the ceiling.

This is a close look at the wooden sofas of the living room as well as the unique staircase with slatted walls.

This is a closer look at the wooden rectangular dining table that is paired with a wooden bench on both sides.

This is a close look at the entrance for the kitchen with light cabinetry that also matches with the ligh hardwood flooring and ceiling.

The living room has a large light gray sofa paired with a large cushioned coffee table.

This is a full view of the dining area and its wooden dining table that is brightened by the window on the far side and adorned with exposed beams on the walls.

This is a close look at the bedroom area beyond the wooden beam of the dining area.

This is a closer look at the head of the dining table illuminated by the natural lighting from the patterned window.

This is a close look at the sauna of the house with consistent wooden tones on its walls, built-in wooden bench and floor.

This is a close look at the bathroom with a bowl and vanity housed in one unique wooden structure.

On the far side of the bathroom after the wooden structure of the sink and toilet is the shower area.

This is an exterior look at the house that is surrounded by lush landscaping and a tall tree.

This view shows the proximity of the wooden beam to the platform bed that is adorned by the square windows.

This is a closer look at the side of the inclined walkway that leads to the elevated main entrance of the house.

This is a closer look at the patterned circular designs on the wooden exterior wall panels.

This is a view of the living room with a view of the kitchen entrance in the background.

This is aclose look at the dining area that has a set of wooden dining table and wooden benches that match with the hardwood flooring.

This is a view of the great room from the vantage of the bedroom area on the far side.

This is a view of the great room from the vantage of the dining area with a view of the fireplace by the wooden beam.

This is another angle of the house interior featuring the large wooden platform bed that is slightly raise over the rest of the house.

This is another angle of the house interior featuring the entrance of the bathroom and the kitchen on the opposite side of the dining area.

This view of the house showcases more of the tall ceiling and its exposed wooden beams.

This view shows the fireplace that is placed in between the kitchen entrance and the staircase.

This is a close look at the dining area and its proximity to the elevated platform of the bedroom area.

This is another look at the wooden platform bed with a bright window on the far side and large beams at the arched ceiling.

This is a closer look at the be with a wooden frame that matches perfectly with the walls and the ceiling.

This is a top view of the living room from the vantage of the staircase with a large set of exposed beams above.

This is a top view of the bright platform bed from the vantage of the indoor balcony.

This is a narrow back exit for the house with a set of built-in wooden drawers on the side and a door on the far end.

The toilet and the vanity are designed as one wooden structure that pairs with the walls.

Across from the toilet and vanity structure is the bathtub and there's a small window on the side.

This is a close looka t the bathtub with a white tone that stands out against the surrounding wooden tones on the walls and ceiling.

This is an illustration of the ground level floor plan.

This is an illustration of the house's elevation,

Traditional landmarks creating a Slovenian countryside also include different types of farmhouses, hayracks, and barns. Unfortunately, many of these no longer serve their purpose, therefore are mostly in poor condition, non-maintained, and often simply destroyed and replaced with generic housing.

Only by embracing the traditions that have been passed on to by their ancestors ensure that the Slovene vernacular architecture* survives not just as a national symbol, but also an integral part of the Slovenian rural lifestyle.

*a category of architecture based on local needs, construction materials and reflecting local traditions

Old Barn Revitalization

The concept converts an old barn into a loft apartment by leaving the original exterior appearance intact in contrast with creating a new internal wooden shell.

Originally, the ground floor served as a stable for stock and the upper level for drying and storing hay and farm equipment. The existing ramp, which leads to the wooden deck above the cattle area – is kept and serves as the main entrance to the new gallery apartment. The former external storage area next to the entrance is converted into the porch overlooking the Alps.

All external wooden cladding and concrete roof slates are maintained, the only intervention is perforations into wooden parts behind internal windows and opening of the front porch. Along the main volume between each existing wooden structure, lines are positioned living area, dining, and raised bedroom.

The auxiliary spaces like wardrobe, bathrooms, sauna, fireplace, and kitchen are packed inside the service box displaced on the side behind the wall created by vertical planks. The guest bedroom is created above the terrace, opened as a gallery towards the main living space.

All internal shell (floors, walls, furniture) is made by deep-brushed local spruce.

By Jon Dykstra · See their LinkedIn.