Slovenian studio OFIS Arhitekti has converted a run-down old cattle barn into an Alpine holiday cabin .
Named Alpine Barn Apartment, the converted two-storey constructing is positioned in Bohinj, an area inside of the Julian Alps of north-western Slovenia. It provides guests a quiet retreat with a rustic exterior and a modern wooden interior.
The 120-square-metre creating had previously functioned as a shelter for cattle, as properly as a storage area for hay and farm equipment. It later fell into disuse, so OFIS Arhitekti was tasked with transforming it into an appealing residence.
The architects noticed the project as an possibility to encourage the vernacular timber architecture that is standard of Slovenia’s rural landscape.
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“The traditional landmarks generating the Slovenian countryside contain diverse kinds of farmhouses, hayracks and barns,” said the group, which is led by architects Rok Oman and Spela Videcnik.
“Regrettably numerous of these no longer serve their purpose, therefore are mainly in poor issue, non-maintained and typically just destroyed and replaced with generic housing,” they mentioned.
“Only by embracing traditions passed on by ancestors will we make sure that vernacular architecture survives, not just as a nationwide symbol but as an integral element of the Slovenian rural life-style.”
The building’s exterior, which comprises a rugged stone base topped by wooden walls, was left largely untouched apart from necessary repairs.
The only noticeable interventions are a series of circular perforations that form windows, enabling daylight to filter in.
Within, the building’s unique timber truss framework is complemented by a new lining of locally milled spruce.
“The idea converts the previous barn into a loft apartment by leaving the authentic exterior visual appeal intact, in contrast with creating a new internal wooden shell,” added the designers.
Living spaces occupy the building’s upper level – the only portion of the interior that is protected from the components. But the architects also built a new wooden shelf that produces a narrow mezzanine floor beneath the sloping roof.
1 finish of the mezzanine accommodates a bedroom. The second bedroom is situated on the primary floor level at the other end of the plan, but is somewhat raised to offer some separation from the residing space.
A variety of smaller sized rooms are slotted beneath the mezzanine, including a kitchen, a sauna, a bathroom and two wardrobes.
The two residing spaces sit in front, providing separate areas for dining and lounging.
A window wall at the finish of the area leads out onto a sheltered veranda. Previously an external storage room, this area offers occupants views out in excess of the mountains.
A ramp that when angled up over the cattle to give access to the hay store has been repurposed as the house’s main entrance.
Photography is by Tomaz Gregoric.
Project credits:
Architect: OFIS Arhitekti
Team: Rok Oman, Spela Videcnik, Andrej Gregoric,
Janez Martincic, Michele Albonetti, Maria Della Mea,
Tomaž Cirkvencic, Pawel Nikkiel, Gözde Okyay,
Maria Rosaria Ritonnaro, Ralea Toma Ioan Catalin,
Grega Valencic, Vlad Popa, Tanja Veselic, Jade Manbodh
Structural engineering: Projecta
Mechanical engineering: MM-term
Electrical engineering: ES
Lighting: Arcadia lightwear
Common contractor: Permiz
Site program 
Gallery floor strategy 
First floor program 
Ground floor program 
Part 1 
Area two 
Area three 
Cross sections one particular and two 
Cross sections 3 and 4 Dezeen
