The architecture studio Arhitektura has designed a house located on the edge of a forest, on a slope above the field that surrounds the Cerknica lake, and from where there are incredible views of the lake's landscape, an environment that conditioned the ideas that have gestated the design.

It is an elongated volume with a large sloping gabled roof. The house opens onto the valley through a large panoramic window, while remaining predominantly closed towards the forest, where there is a single window that overlooks the courtyard and the entrance.
The house designed by Arhitektura offers ample interior space for the couple of owners. All the most significant living areas are located on the ground floor and are connected to the outdoor terrace and garden. The spacious split-level living room that includes the kitchen and a dining area opens up to the ceiling, illuminated through two skylights, creating a basilica-like atmosphere.

The sleeping area, located to the right of the entrance, has a lower ceiling. The attic area has bedrooms, an additional bathroom, and a fitness room. The interior of the building is marked by a minimalist concept with few carefully selected furniture.
 

Description of project by Arhitektura

The residential house is located on the brink of a forest, on a hillside above Cerknica field. From here, views of the beautiful Cerknica intermittent lake open up. It was precisely the breathtaking views that served as the basis for designing the architectural idea.

The house is nestled parallel to the hillside. It was designed as an elongated volume with steep gable roof. It opens up towards the valley via grand panoramic window, while remaining predominantly closed off towards the forest. Here is a single window that overlooks the court yard and entrance.

The house grants a comfortable living space for two. All the main living areas are placed on the ground floor and are connected to the outdoor terrace and garden. The inner “walkway” along the panoramic glass wall connects living and sleeping areas into a single experiential space. On each step we are accompanied by picturesque views of the valley.

The two-level, spacious living area with kitchen and dining table opens up all the way to the roof and is additionally illuminated via two skylights, creating a basilica-like atmosphere. The sleeping area, situated to the right of the entrance, has the lowest ceiling. The attic above it features a guest rooms, an additional bathroom and a fitness room.

The entire volume of the attic is shifted backwards, towards the forest. In this way a wide and quite useful jutting roof is formed at the court yard side of the building. On the opposite side of the building a long wooden terrace, covered by a canopy, remains.

The building’s investor is professionally linked to metal processing. At his request the façade was designed as a metal membrane, indirectly referring to his industry. The finely profiled dark façade membrane yields the otherwise quite heavy volume a subtler appearance and a sense of almost velvety surface.

The building’s interior is marked by minimalistic design with a few carefully selected pieces of furniture. Therefore the most important visual experience in the interior remains the stunning vista of the valley.

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Architects
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Arhitektura. Architects.- Peter Gabrijelčič, Boštjan Gabrijelčič, Aleš Gabrijelčič.
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Dates
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2021.
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Location
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Cerknica, Slovenia.
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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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Published on: December 21, 2021
Cite: "Almost velvety surface overlooking the lake. House above the valley by Arhitektura" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/almost-velvety-surface-overlooking-lake-house-above-valley-arhitektura> ISSN 1139-6415
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