OFIS architects have refurbished a barn, in Bohinjska Bistric, Slovenia, into a warm living space for a family. This timber clad structure retains its external appearance while reprogrammed on the inside.
photography by © Tomaz Gregoric
The original floor plan of the barn is kept and optimised to suit the needs of a family, including a guest bedroom. The plan is freed, allowing elaborate thresholds between the different spaces as you move through the house.
Lighting is a big part of what makes the renovation successful, as the timber surfaces are warmed visually. The barn was also timber clad before, so the total reimagination of lighting quality livens the space up as well as provides a habitable space.
photography by © Tomaz Gregoric
The design is overall responsible and attentive while elegntly executed. Re-use or continued use of the structure and external envelope is a sustainable approach, economically and environmentally, while also retaining historic significance.
Culturally, scandanavian architecture with the gabled roof and stone and timber facade is preserved and showcased,while critical response to the climate (screened windows and vegetation) and user (programme, user type and ocuppancy) is applied.
Courtesy of OFIS Architects
Thelma Ndebele is an editor at Arch2O and a part-time lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. With a background in architecture and critical spatial research, Thelma’s academic work explores the intersections of urbanism, cultural identity, and public space. Their editorial contributions reflect a commitment to unpacking the socio-political dimensions of architecture, especially within African urban contexts. Through both teaching and writing, Thelma engages with emerging discourse on inclusive design, making them a thoughtful and vital voice in Arch2O’s academic and editorial landscape.