Homestead under the oaks

In a secluded area of the Slovenian coast, there stood a 150-year-old homestead. Time had left its mark with thick plaster of various colours, overgrown vegetation and renovations which had left the floor plan dysfunctional. How to transform an old and small homestead into a modern home? How to express its history and at the same time make it modern?

Upon inspection, the architects recognized the orientation, proportions of the house, construction with local stone and wood as quality elements. First, they completely removed the facades, plaster, floors, walls, overgrown vegetation, and unnecessary additions. They linked the floors previously connected by a ladder with functional stairs, and added a glass annex, which completely submits itself to the existing house and landscape architecture. A thin pergola, soon to be overgrown with grape vines, further dematerializes the annex.

The floor plan of the house is divided into a living ground floor and a sleeping floor. The kitchen with a large island and table dominates the ground floor. It is connected by a two-sided fireplace to a small living room in the glass annex. In the back is the entrance to the service parts through stone arched passages. The main bedroom at the head of the house uses an old round window in the ridge for ventilation and natural cooling. All interior equipment clearly demonstrates the intertwining of new and old, respecting the existing. The furniture is simple and not prominent, it just functionally responds to the needs of users.

The architects hope that their renovation will last for the next 150 years.