House Barje by Arhitekti Počivašek Petranovič: Minimalist Design in Ljubljana’s Marshlands

Located in the serene marshes of Ljubljana Barje, on the outskirts of Slovenia’s capital, House Barje by Arhitekti Počivašek Petranovič is a contemporary single-story residence designed for a young couple with a private yoga studio. Completed in 2023, this 232 m² home harmonizes with its suburban surroundings, blending the horizontality of the landscape with scattered residential structures and open meadows.

Site and Layout

The house’s elongated form is a direct response to the irregular plot shape, while the single-story design addresses the low bearing capacity of marshy soil. Strategically positioned, the building divides the property into a public northern area and a private southern garden, complementing an existing neighboring home. Internally, rooms are arranged in a subtle sequence, slightly offset to maximize functional space. The interstitial areas form intimate atriums and shaded outdoor niches, offering dry and protected exterior spaces beneath deep eaves. A pitched roof with extensive overhangs accentuates the home’s horizontal orientation, blending seamlessly with the flat landscape.

Interior Design and Spatial Planning

Upon entry, visitors encounter a compact yoga studio complete with support facilities. Beyond this, a separate apartment unfolds, featuring a private entrance, bedroom, office, living room, and a combined kitchen-dining area. A narrowing hallway stretches perspective towards the living room, visually enhancing spatial depth.

The interior embraces minimalism and material honesty, with concrete hollow block walls simply whitewashed, and plywood partition walls that occasionally double as built-in furniture. The flooring is a polished concrete slab, while the roofing system consists of lightweight aluminum corrugated sheets supported by timber framing. This restrained material palette emphasizes simplicity, functionality, and lightness in construction.

Structural and Environmental Strategy

The foundation slab, reinforced concrete, rests on timber piles to navigate the marshy site. Overall, construction prioritizes lightweight massing, integrating sustainable and durable materials. The design balances structural efficiency with environmental sensitivity, creating a home that is both contemporary and contextually appropriate.

Facade and Material Expression

The facade reflects the local architectural vernacular, where brick predominates, reimagined through elongated glazed black-blue ceramic tiles from AGROB BUCHTAL. These tiles mirror natural light and surrounding greenery, changing appearance with different times of day and seasonal variations. Contrasting with the dark facade, a stainless steel gutter and rainwater collection cistern introduce a subtle industrial note.

The surrounding garden is planted with species typical of the marshy ecosystem, including a manicured lawn and a few standalone trees, reinforcing the building’s connection to its natural environment.

House Barje demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design can seamlessly integrate minimalism, functionality, and environmental sensitivity. By responding to the unique Ljubljana marshland context, this residence offers a harmonious blend of private, public, and outdoor spaces, redefining suburban living for a modern couple.

All photographs are works of Urban Petranovič