This small house located in the region of Karst attempts to reinterpret the local traditional typology with a more contemporary language for the design of this monolithic stony pitched house.

Dekleva Gregorič Arhitekti  designs this small stony house in order to continue with the traditional building way of the local area.

The house is divided in two different spaces, one more or less public or semi-public in the ground floor and the other one in the first floor with a private character. Through the introduction of two wooden volumes linked by a bridge, they define the inner spaces; kitchen, bathroom, dining as well as master bedroom and children's room.

Description of the project by Dekleva Gregorič Arhitekti

The region of Karst was once covered with Oak trees that Venetians have extensively used for building up the City on water. They have left the wind to peel off earth revealing limestone grounds. In this landscape the tradition of small, compact, stony and almost windowless houses developed and remained until today.

Following this tradition determined the design of small compact stony house corresponding to the needs of the young family and current technological principles. Redefinition of traditional stony Karst house led to the concept of proto-house as compact, stony, pitched roof volume for contemporary countryside living in this region. The house is conceived as monolithic volume with two inserted wooden volumes connected with interim landing.

Ground floor operates mostly as public or semi-public space with multiple grand landscape views as on the other hand the upper floor stands very private with sky views only. The space is divided with two inserted wooden volumes which in ground floor contain kitchen with dining or bathroom and in the upper floor master bedroom and children’s room. House in a house concept allow each bedroom to perform as primarily wooden pitched house, where one literally feels like sleeping in his own (symbolic) house and not a room. The bridge connecting both houses acts as playroom. The house has three large square windows which open views towards hilltop church in Italy to the west, forest to the south and entrance platform to the east. The redefinition of traditional stony Karst roof, with its texture, colour, material and its steep inclination is executed as contemporary concrete interpretation with intense technological ingenuity. Materially inseparable connection between the facade and the roof is key allusion to the image of traditional Karst village.

The design of the house addresses the relationship between contemporary and tradition, it opens up the question about the characteristics of anonymous traditional built architecture from which it originates and simultaneously establishes the relationship between contemporary interpretation and traditionally conditional domain of synthesis.

Text.- Dekleva Gregorič Arhitekti.

 

DATA SHEET.-

Architects.- Dekleva Gregorič Arhitekti.
Team project.- Aljoša Dekleva u.d.i.a., M.Arch. (AA Dist),Tina Gregorič u.d.i.a., M.Arch. (AA Dist), Lea Kovič, u.d.i.a., Vid Zabel štud. arh.
Location.- Vrhovlje, Slovenija.
Date.- 2011-2012 (project), 2014 (completion).
Site area.- 336 sqm.
Build up area.- 82,5 sqm.
Net area.- 65 + 28 sqm.
Client.- Burut Pertot.

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dekleva gregoric architects was set up by Aljoša Dekleva (b.1972) and Tina Gregorič (b.1974) in 2003 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. It is an international architecture studio, operating both in the EU and the USA.

Both founders received their postgraduate Master’s degrees in Architecture with Distinction from the renowned Architectural Association in London, where they initiated their research on participation, responsive environments, and mass customisation. They later documented this research in their acclaimed book Negotiate My Boundary!

Their studio design philosophy revolves around “research by design” and “design by research,” encompassing various modes (spatial, social, material, historical, etc.), different scales and programs, as well as diverse climates and localities. Understanding the specific constraints and conditions of the context serves as the fundamental generative tool, aiming to challenge the obvious and offer specific responses. They utilise a systematic design approach to establish an intense structuring of space and to challenge the use of materials by exposing their primary natures. Prioritising user experience, participation, and interaction, the studio fosters new forms of collectivity and customisation while addressing contemporary social and environmental challenges. Their portfolio spans diverse typologies, from experimental houses to large affordable housing neighbourhoods, university campuses, public buildings, and cultural institutions.

Key projects include the XXS House (2004), Clifftop House in Maui (2012), Compact Karst House (2015), Science Centre (2019), Affordable Housing in Novo Brdo (2022), and the Pavilion of Slovenia for Expo Osaka (2024). These projects have received prestigious accolades such as the Architizer and WAN House of the Year awards, the AR House Award 2015, the WALLPAPER* award for Best Breakthrough Designers, as well as nominations for the Mies van der Rohe and Swiss architectural awards, and the recent 2024 Buildner Unbuild Award. Their work has been celebrated worldwide for redefining tradition, materiality, and sustainability.

Besides their architectural practice, Aljosa and Tina play a significant role in architectural education. Tina holds the position of Full Professor of Architecture and Chair at the Institute of Architecture, Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien). Aljosa is the Programme Head for the AA Nanotourism Visiting School at the Architectural Association in London. In 2019, they both served as the Frank Gehry International Visiting Chairs in Architectural Design at the University of Toronto. They lead research initiatives like nanotourism, which offers a participatory, community-oriented alternative to conventional tourism, and actively lecture and exhibit worldwide. As curators of the Slovenian Pavilion at the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale, they addressed critical issues of home and dwelling with Home at Arsenale, a curated library and site-specific spatial installation exploring the concept of home in contemporary society.

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Published on: December 16, 2014
Cite: "Minimal house. Compact Karst House" METALOCUS. Accessed
<http://www.metalocus.es/en/news/minimal-house-compact-karst-house> ISSN 1139-6415
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