Hribljane House by Medprostor

A Contemporary Barn-Inspired Home in Rural Slovenia

Nestled in the quiet hamlet of Hribljane between Rakitna and Cerknica, Hribljane House by Medprostor d.o.o. reinterprets local agricultural architecture to create a modern rural retreat deeply attuned to its landscape. Surrounded by tranquil pine forests and located near the Jazbine stream and old mill ruins, the residence stands as a subtle yet evocative intervention that blends tradition with contemporary spatial design.

A Dialogue with Topography and Heritage

Rather than dominating the terrain, the house follows its natural slope, lightly touching the ground and gradually stepping up with the landscape. Echoing the volumetric ratios of local barns, the architectural form is deliberately understated, helping the house dissolve into the surrounding forest. Drawing on the vernacular palette, it employs natural wood structures, brick flooring, and timber cladding, grounding the project in its cultural and ecological context.

Spatial Composition and Programmatic Clarity

Approached via a pine-lined path, the entrance opens into a double-height greenhouse, which acts as a light-filled threshold between indoor living and the natural surroundings. The interior is organized linearly: a generous kitchen and dining area, centered around a traditional fire stove, connects seamlessly to the living room. A ramp leads to private quarters, a workshop, and stairs that ascend to the guest room and children’s bedroom, which overlook the central greenhouse.

Carefully placed clefts and notches along the façade break the mass and reveal interior programs, enhancing the longitudinal clarity of the structure. The parking area, tucked beneath the house in a natural depression, maintains the visual serenity of the site.

Material Tactility and Environmental Integration

Every material choice reinforces the house's organic integration with its environment. Raw wood forms the main structural skeleton, while natural materials—brick floors, coconut rugs, and wooden partitions—define the internal textures. These elements emphasize sustainability, tactility, and domestic warmth, offering a sensory-rich living experience deeply connected to place.

Revitalizing a Rural Settlement

Hribljane House is not just a private home—it is a gentle act of rural revitalization. Its design acknowledges and reinforces local settlement patterns, positioning architecture as a vehicle for cultural continuity. It honors the historical wisdom of not building on the settlement's edge, instead opting for careful integration and low-visual impact. The result is a contemporary country house that respects the past while shaping the future.

All Photographs are works of Miran Kambič