Architect’s Firm: OFIS Architects
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Program: Residential
Client: Private
Area: 340m²
Year: 2012-2015
Type: Family House
Status: Built
Project Team: Rok Oman, Spela Videcnik,
Tomaz Gregoric, Janez Martincic, Andrej Gregoric,
Jade Manbodh, Elisa Ribilotta, Maria Della Mea, Lukasz Czech, Istvan Jenei, Dora Kljenak, Will Gibson, Marko Gusic, Jan Celeda, Tanja Veselic, Carlos García-Almonacid, Marija Barovic, Jamie Lee, Polina Isyanyulova, Dani Kaludjerovic, Daniel Muniz Domínguez, Nika Zufic, Marta Vela, Aubin Gastineau, Catarina Cristovinho, Maria Trnovska, Estefanía Lopez Tornay, Jolien Maes, Katarina Lampic, Sabrina Cep
Structural Engineering: IB TECHNO, Gravitas
Mechanical Engineering: Vavtar engineering
Electrical Engineering: Eurolux

This is a close look at the covered patio of the house that has a ceiling supported by a cross structure.

This is a view of the foyer from the vantage of the narrow hallway beside the staircase with a simple chair and side table.

Upon entry of the house, you are welcomed by this foyer that has a light hardwood flooring that matches with the ceiling contrasted by the large cabinetry on the side of the stairs.

This is a view of the dining area and covered patio from the vantage of the kitchen island.

The kitchen has a large kitchen island with wooden cabinetry that matches the built-in wooden cabinetry of the far wall contrasted by the appliances.

The bathroom has a large circular bathtub that is embedded into the large brown structure by the window adorned with a potted plant.

This is a large play room with built-in shelves for toys as well as a baby piano on the side of the built-in bench under the glass sliding doors.

This is a view of the house from the foot of the stairs looking up to the bright second-level landing.

This is a close look at the wooden steps of the staircase that matches well with the walls and hardwood flooring of the house.

This is another look at the large wooden walls of the staircase that matches the light hardwood flooring.

This is a look at the bedroom that has a wooden door that matches the wooden wall and the hardwood flooring of the bedroom that extends to the study area.

This bedroom has a large wooden platform structure for the bed adorned by the natural lighting of the glass wall.

This is another view of the bedroom that has a large wooden platform bed. On the far side is the bathroom.

This is a closer look at the bathroom with a housed bathtub by the natural light of the glass house.

This is a nighttime view of the house exterior that has panels where light passes through from the interiors of the house.

This is a nighttime view of the full house exterior showcasing the warm lighting that goes well with the tone of the exterior walls.

This is a daytime view of the whole house exterior showcasing the light gray tones and design of the exterior paneled walls.

This is an exterior view of the house without the snow showcasing the large concrete driveway.

This is a look at the back of the house featuring the modern design and neutral tone of the exterior walls complemented by the large glass lawn.

This is a closer look at the covered patio area at the back of the house with a ceiling supported by the cross structure.

This side of the house is lined with concrete planters planted with medium-sized trees and shrubs.

This view of the back of the house shows the way the grass lawn of the backyard complements the gray exteriors.

This is a nighttime view of the back of the house with a glowing covered patio that comes from the interiors and the glass walls.

The warm glow of the covered patio pairs well with the gray neutral tone of the paneled exterior walls.

This is a closer look at the panels of the house exterior with criss cross structures within it.

This is another look at the exterior panel with cross patterns with each one giving the house a unique look.

This is a close look at the foot of the stairs within the foyer adorned with a potted plant by the corner.

This is a look at the foyer of the house from the vantage of the side hallway of the staircase.

This is a close look at the wooden steps of the stairs that match with the ceiling.

This is a look at the glass sliding doors opposite the staircase adorned with a potted plant on the corner.

The dining area has a large wooden dining table that is only a few steps from the glass wall of the covered patio.

This is a closer look at the kitchen that has wooden cabinetry on the far wall adorned by the stainless steel appliances.

This is a view under the stairs showcasing the warm light that passes through the spaces in between the steps.

The indoor balcony above the staircase of the house is lined with wooden planters that pair well with the plants.

This is a look at the bright upper landing of the staircase from the vantage of the foot of the stairs.

The tone of the walls pair well with the wooden steps of the staircase as well as the platform on the far side by the glass window.

This is a view of the bedroom from the vantage of the bathroom area that has a housed bathtub across from the glass walls.

This is an illustration of the house's north elevation.

This is an illustration of the house's east elevation.

This is an illustration of the house's west elevation.

This is an illustration of the house's south elevation.

This is an illustration of the house's main level floor plan.

This is an illustration of the house's second level floor plan.

This is an illustration of the house's lower level floor plan.

This is an illustration of the house's section A elevation.

This is an illustration of the house's section b elevation.

This is an illustration of the house's section C elevation.

This is an illustration of the house's section D elevation.

The Villa is located in the Mirje Suburbs within the city center of Ljubljana, Slovenia. The street of the villa runs perpendicular to the ancient Roman Wall and continues into a pedestrian passageway under the stone pyramid designed by Plecnik (as part of his reconstruction project along the wall). Villa’s new structure embeds an existing retaining wall along the street front. By incorporating the wall as part of the new construction, the new house keeps its original position on this street in an axial alignment to the pyramid.

The external structure is composed of a cube volume and perforated metal envelope. The volume extracts cut-outs to create pockets of space that provide a pyramidical stepping down along the roof, a void along the entrance, and private glass patios with terraces for the living areas of the house.

Using a material with holes on both sides aims to make an abstract interpretation of the texture of classical villas in the historical suburb. The rough classical façade was represented with double perforated panels; the task was to achieve texture through the illusion of depth which allows a light presence and enhances the shadows and reflections of a palette of beige tints.

The three-dimensional texture creates a dynamic abstraction while encapsulating its coherent volume. Diagonal crosses act as a functional and graphic representation. The crosses brace the frames of panels and create identity like façade ornaments on historical citizen villas.

Internal volume embodies two elements: exposed structural concrete walls and a wooden shell. The project required a residence for a single family with three children. The brief was to maximize the living area with a minimum of the service space. The concept divides space based on a distinct program by separating function not by walls but floor levels: the ground floor is living/communal space, the first floor is children area, and the second-floor parent’s area.

With no cellar, the shell is integral to provide all of the space for storage. The flush walls fold out to house cupboards, shelves, and drawers throughout the living areas and furniture such as beds, seating, and counters are built into the floor in order to optimize space and provide easy maintenance. This connects different spaces in the house by giving a common function to partitions.