enota architects sets slovenian wellness hotel in 'europe's most beautiful valley'

located at the heart of a nature park, ‘hotel plesnik’ is a boutique family hotel that boasts a tradition spanning over eighty years. its exceptional location at the end of a glacial valley offers an unforgettable view of the majestic peaks of the kamnik-savinja alps. against the backdrop of slovenia’s logarska valley — often referred to as ‘europe’s most beautiful valley’ — enota architects has undertaken a complete renovation of the previously existing building.

all images © miran kambič

much of the former wellness center was originally taken up by a small, organically shaped pool which opened onto a tanning deck directly in front of the building. to recover the space needed for new programs, enota partly replaced the pool with a large whirlpool, while a section of the former pool shell was re-purposed as a sunken circular resting area featuring a fireplace. the sun deck has been extended with a natural swimming pool, which makes up for and expands on the deleted interior water surface, while the reflection in the water further accents the beautiful view.

despite natural filtration by means of aquatic plants, the new pool is unequivocally rectilinear in shape and is designed to be a continuation of the building rather than the surrounding landscape. referencing an interior resting place, an external relaxation area with a fire ring has been placed in the middle of the water’s surface. here, visitors witness a never-ending dialogue between water and fire, two basic natural elements accentuating the incredible backdrop of the surrounding mountain range.

the entire hotel has been designed using local materials. the undulating interior walls were necessitated by the markedly awkward and heterogenous construction design of the existing space. a relaxed placement of interior divides envelops and conceals all the irregularities and forms a fluid space terminating in the valley itself.

found internally and externally, the pebble-dashed walls divide the sun deck into three parts: the sauna section, the entral wellness space, and the entrance portal. the façade between the divisions is fully encased in glass and replaces former arch-head windows.

the enlargement of the façade openings further connects the interior space of the wellness center with the picturesque exterior, while reducing its presence in the space. with the extension having been purified of all distinct architectural elements, it now belongs with the surrounding terrain rather than with the master building.

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project info:

name: wellness plesnik
type: commission
year: 2015
status: built
area: 560 sqm
site: 980 sqm
footprint: 475 sqm
client: plesnik turizem in marketing
location: logarska valley, slovenia
architecture: enota
project team: dean lah, milan tomac, nuša završnik šilec, peter sovinc
collaborators: elea ic (structural engineering), elin (electrical installations), nom biro (mechanical services), svilene linije & handling (pool technology)
photography: miran kambič