Villa 3 Shoebox by OFIS Architects

Architect’s Firm: OFIS Architects
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Program: Residential
Client: Private
Area: 228m²
Year: 2017
Type: Family House
Status: Built
Project Team: Rok Oman, Spela Videcnik
Andrej Gregoric, Janez Martincic
Jamie Lee, Lorenzo Conti, Maja Vecerina,
Sam Eadington, Alexandra Volkov,
Aliaksandra Dalmatava, Anastasia Barasheva,
Chiara Girolami, Darko Ivanovski, Elisa Ribilotta,
Łukasz Czech, José Navarrete Jiménez,
Mariangela Fabbri
Structural Engineering: Milan Sorc, Projecta d.o.o.
Mechanical Engineering: Vavtar Inzeniring d.o.o.
Electrical Engineering: Elcom d.o.o.
Main Contractor: Bostjan Perme, Permiz d.o.o.

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This is a look at the house from across the street showcasing the three levels of the house with different tones.

This is the view of the back of the house that has three box structures stacked on top of the other.

This is a close look at the ground level of the house with large glass walls and doors that open to the surrounding landscape.

This is the staircase of the house with light tones to its steps and thin slat railings.

This is a close look at the interior tone of the house that matches with the floor and walls.

This bright area by the stairs is enlightened by the natural light of the glass wall.

A few steps from the staircase is the living room that has an L-shaped sectional sofa with a built-in wooden platform that also serves as a coffee table.

This living room area is brightened by the glass walls on both sides.

Behind the L-shaped sofa is the large wooden dining table paired with a couple of wooden benches with cushions.

This is a closer look at the wooden rectangular dining table and benches that match the tone of the flooring.

The wooden dining set also matches with the wooden steps of the staircase on the far side.

This is a close look at the living room and dining areas that are brightened by the glass wall.

This is a close look at the wooden steps of the staircase.

The wooden steps of the staircase is sided with thin railings.

This is a close look at the second-level landing with a view of the bright second level of the house from the stairs.

The wooden steps of the staircase with thin slats that connect to the ceiling.

The flooring blends well with the wooden steps of the staircase and the ceiling.

At the side of the staircase is a hallway with a large wooden open shelving on the side.

This is the study area and home office with a built-in wooden desk that is attached to the platform and the stairs leading to the balcony door.

This is a close look at the wooden wall in the middle of the staircase.

This is another look at the wooden staircase from the vantage of the second-levellanding.

This angle of the wooden staircase showcases its design and simplicity paired with thin railings.

The second-level landing has a large wooden structure on the side as well as a frosted glass wall panel that brings in natural lighting.

From the second-level landing, you can see the large L-shaped sectional sofa of the family area and the platform bed on the far side.

This is another look at the large L-shaped sectional sofa that matches the design of the living room.

This is the bathroom with a large and simple vanity on the side and a glass shelf on the side.

The L-shaped sectional sofa is paired with a wooden platform that also serves as a coffee table.

This is a closer look at the wooden platform of the bedroom area and a set of glass walls on the far side.

This is a view of the back exterio of the house showcasing the warm glow of the glass walls.

The dark paneled exterior walls of the house and the warm glow of the glass walls are complemented by the tall trees and shrubs of the landscaping.

This is a view of the side of the house showcasing the unique stacked design surrounded by lush landscaping and dark outer walls.

This is an illustration of the house's concept and design with three boxes.

This is an illustration of the house's floor plan showcasing the different sections of the house.

This is an illustration of the house's elevation showcasing the different sections of the house.

The Villa is located in Trnovo within the city center of Ljubljana, Slovenia. It is the renovation of a small existing house dating from 1934. The existing house was designed by architect Emil Navinsek, known for innovative space concepts of a school non-corridor plan.

He designed the house next to his residence for his two unmarried elderly sisters who lived together on a small surface of the only 50m2 per floor. The street where the house is situated was mostly built in the 60s and 70s with typical one-family residential houses made in a combination of white plaster render and dark wood cladding.

Floor Level Intersections

The extension is creating a different intersection between the old and new parts on each floor is composed of 3 cube volumes, each in a proportion of a shoe-box like the existing house floorplan. Boxes are stacked with 90 degrees shifts creating overhangs and terraces. The volumes are clad in dark wood – spruce vertical lattice – in the context of the street architecture.

The structure is a combination of a concrete base, metal frames, and wooden substructure. The Interior of the new part is formed mostly by wall cladding creating integrated wardrobes and walls. The old house is simply renovated keeping all the existing textures and materials.

Interior of an old house and new extension are connected in different layouts – new extension perforates through the old walls creating associated facilities: groundfloor as a living area, first floor with kids rooms and guest room, top floor with master bedroom and living.

The heart of the house – the intersection of volumes and connector of old and new is a staircase attached to a main vertical concrete wall. Inspired by Adolf Loos interiors forms elevated podiums, niches, wardrobes, small sitting areas and are partly extended into small spaces in the existing part of the house creating private living areas on each floor.

By Jon Dykstra · See their LinkedIn.