biro gasperic gently slopes spaces throughout wooden house in slovenia

biro gasperic gently slopes spaces throughout wooden house in slovenia
photo © virginia vrecl
all images courtesy of biro gasperic

biro gasperic‘s ‘house for the best years’ is a project that lies on the slope beneath the mountains, where the village’s tissues have grown into the greenery of meadows and fields. the residence puts an end to one of the limbs of town’s ground plan. it thoughtfully fades pointy ridges of the mountains and typical alpine roofs into a smooth gradation of flat surfaces that reflect the surroundings. at the east end of the site, an intense landscape indicates a nearby brook. to the north, there is lined tree bowing its crown into the prevailing southern wind.

a gentle grassy topography defines the most distinctive feature of the house, a sloping ridge.
photo © virginia vrecl

this unidirectional plot led to the creation of a 33-meter long non-conflicting stream of volume. its long, thin silhouette follows the natural slope, but does not get higher at any point. instead, it keeps its proportions fixed in height all the way up, giving it a distinctive look within the context. rich local architectural heritage has been respected on all levels. the traditional details and solutions have not been simply copied, but rather, adopted and reinvented in accordance to contemporary materials, constructions, and lifestyle.

as the last building of the village, the house serves as a transition from the urbanized area to the world of meadows and fields
photo © virginia vrecl

all three levels continue the flow of program through a series of small staircases, providing views from one activity to another. the porch opens into a clear, airy interior that gathers all of the sun’s rays from the south and transfers them deeper into the structure of continuous spaces.

mountains provide a backdrop for the house
photo © virginia vrecl

it is a dwelling for two, but the architects needed to provide them with as many functional characteristics as necessary for six occupants. the only difference is the frequency of use, path crossings, and time of day, especially in common areas. as a result, the spaces became a special mix of storage, washroom, bathroom and bedroom free flux spaces that morph according to the way of use. thus, the architecture represents an interpretation of inhabitants’ ways of being with the full respect to the inclining location.

the morning terrace at the south peak of the residence
photo © virginia vrecl

the living room is dominated by a raw concrete block with a fireplace
photo © virginia vrecl

on the other side of the fireplace, kitchen and dining overlook the living room and open into the summer terrace
photo © virginia vrecl

the dwelling features virtually no corridor since every part of it serves as a supplementary part of one space or another
photo © virginia vrecl

(left) since the temperature can drop below zero during the winter time, the sauna is an essential part of the house
(right) the bathroom is seamlessly connected with a wardrobe and the master bedroom
photo © virginia vrecl

during rainy days, a perforated end of the gutter creates a water curtain that embraces the morning terrace
photo © virginia vrecl

a 3-meter long overhang protects the southern part of the house from the rain and hot summer sun.
photo © virginia vrecl

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

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