The architectural studio Arhitektura has completed an extension to a penthouse in a post-war house on the outskirts of Ljubljana, in the heart of Slovenia, solving the dilemma of creating more space and greater connection to the outside in a building with a difficult interior layout lacking in material and spatial luxuries.

The extension and renovation of the penthouse in Ljubljana meets the current spatial expectations sought by the clients: a large and open living space, and achieves this through a unified space under a single-pitched roof that offers wide views of the surrounding vegetation to the south and a panoramic view along a quiet adjacent street to the east, thus causing a harmonious interaction between the openings, the bright interior and the immediate surroundings.

By keeping the ground and upper floors of the existing structure in the renovation project untouched, Arhitektura studio updates the existing dwelling while prioritizing the creation of a loft-like space in the previously unused attic, resulting in a compact space that serves as an accent for the villa.

Differentiating the various elements of the project through material execution, the penthouse project is developed through the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and stands out for its cladding in a darker color and made from metal, contrasting with the pre-existing elements and favoring interaction and adaptation with the green promenade that surrounds it while dialoguing with the past conception of an urban villa that inspired post-war suburban buildings.

Reinvención y ampliación de un ático en Liubliana por Arhitektura. Fotografía por Miran Kambič

Attic reimagined extension by Arhitektura. Photograph by Miran Kambič.

Project description by Arhitektura

Owners of large Slovenian post-war suburban houses often took inspiration from older and more prestigious city villas when designing their premises. However, unlike their inspirations, these structures were far simpler in terms of materials and architecture, lacking in excessive luxury and the spacious interiors of the past. Floor plans are typically fragmented into a multitude of small, disconnected rooms arranged around a central staircase. This layout makes it difficult to accommodate the modern spatial expectations of today's clients, who mainly seek an open, airy living space in the style of a "loft."

It is therefore not surprising that clients often opt to demolish the old structure in order to build more contemporary architecture in its place. The same dilemma arose when planning the renovation of a post-war "villa" in the suburbs of Ljubljana. The client desired more spaciousness in the home but, as an environmentally conscious investor, was also committed to a sustainable approach. He understood that "the greenest building is the one that is already built." Often, it is also the most cost-effective solution.

Reinvención y ampliación de un ático en Liubliana por Arhitektura. Fotografía por Miran Kambič. --- Attic reimagined extension in Ljubljana by Arhitektura. Photograph by Miran Kambič
Attic reimagined extension by Arhitektura. Photograph by Miran Kambič.

Together, we resolved the dilemma and found the optimal solution. We retained the ground floor and upper floor of the existing structure while placing the desired "loft" in the space of the previously unused attic. The smaller rooms on the ground and upper floors were allocated to the remaining household functions.

The newly designed attic forms a large, unified space beneath a single-pitch roof. To the south, the space continues into a wide and bright winter garden, offering broad panoramic views of the surrounding greenery. The home's distance from the street ensures a sense of complete privacy. In addition to the sweeping views through the winter garden, two additional windows provide more intimate views. To the east, the view extends along the quiet suburban street through a large scenic window, while to the north, it opens through a smaller one.

The newly designed, compact attic serves as a discreet accent on the renovated villa. Despite its different material execution, the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT), and the darker color of the metal facade, it seems as if it has always been there, harmoniously engaging with the casual passersby on the nearby green promenade surrounding Ljubljana.

More information

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Architects
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Arhitektura. Lead Architects.- Peter, Boštjan, Aleš Gabrijelčič.

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Project team
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Nik Solina.

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Area
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100 sqm.

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Dates
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2024.

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Location
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Ljubljana, Slovenia.

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Photography
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Arhitektura - Office for Urbanism and Architecture, is an architecture firm based in Ljubljana, established in 1997. The practice is lead by Boštjan Gabrijelčič, Peter Gabrijelčič and Aleš Gabrijelčič.

Peter Gabrijelčič. Graduated in 1973 from Faculty of Architecture in Ljubljana, with proffessor Edo Ravnikar as mentor. Dean of the Faculty of Ljubljana and full proffesor of urban planning and architecture. He won many awards such as the Borba Award for Slovenian architecture, Prešern Foundation Award, Belgrade Salon of Architecture Award, Architecture Event of the Year Award in Belgrade, European Architectural Award in London, Trend award. Also won the Golden Pencil and the Platinum Pencil awards of the Slovenian Chamber for Architecture and Space. Has co-authored numerous projects for intrenational competitions.

Boštjan Gabrijelčič. Graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Ljubljana in 2007, foreign exchange in Vaduz, Lichtenstein 2005, worked in atelier Podrecca in Vienna 2006, partner of Arhitektura d.o.o. studio; Major architectural realizations: Urban Parasite 2006, Magic Box 2009 (with Peter Gabrijelčič, Tomaž Budkovič), Private House Suha 2012 (with Peter Gabrijelčič); Has exhibited at: Prague architecture week (2012); Ljubljana Gallery DESSA – exhibition 11×1 (2012); Zavod BIG – Houses of the World Exhibition (2012), Awards: 2012 the Golden Pencil award of the Chamber of Architects for private house Suha (with Peter Gabrijelčič), shortlisted for Trimo architecture award 2008 for Urban Parasite, selection ECOLA award.

Aleš Gabrijelčič. Graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Ljubljana in 2014. Worked on the project of designing and constructing schools in South Africa. Worked in Johannesburg, ZA for 2 months and later went to study in Madrid, ETSAM at the studio of Campo Baeza and worked at the architectural office of Langarita-Navarro Arquitectos. Also served as a student assisant for the subject of architectural design. Has exhibited at the Days of Oris, Zagreb (2008) and with the SAIP 2011 team at the Royal Institute of British Architects (2012) and at the Chamber of Architects annual exhibition (2013). Shortlisted with the SAIP 2011 team for The Royal Institute of British Architects Student Award in 2012.
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