Villa - Old Oaks

View of the villa set into the sloping terrain

Project Details

• Project Name: Villa 'Old Oaks'
• Project Type: Residence
• Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Principal Designers: Rok Oman, Spela Videcnik
• Design Team: Neza Oman, Florian Frey, Vanja Fink, Spela Ursic
• Date of commencement of project: 2003
• Date of completion of project: 2006
• Site Area: 3.000 m²
• Built-up Area: 800 m²

View of villa

The Building

Located in the neighbourhood of six larger villas, the site is afforded splendid views of a stand of oak trees over a hundred years old. The terrain slopes down towards these trees. To allow for a majority of spaces within the villa to ejoy this view, the house is organized in levels that step down along the terrain. The footprint of the house strictly follows the outline of the site, leaving the requisite margin of 4 metrers on all sides.

The spaces are organised so as to afford them splendid views into the green surround

The heart of the house lies in an external covered courtyard. The main spaces such as the entrance lobby and staircase, the children's playroom as well as the dining, living, bedroom and work areas overlook this space. These rooms as well as the wellness area with its small pool, are afforded splendid views into the park.

View of the interiors of the villa that step down with the existing terrain

The link between the exterior surround and the interiors of the villa is further strengthened through a tactful exploration of material and structure. The ceiling of the dining and living area is slung from a Vierendeel beam hidden in the walls of the floors above, creating a column- free space on the ground floor.

View of the roof covering the courtyard

The staircase roof is glazed while the roof covering the courtyard is part-glass, part-wood and brings in views of the sky and the physical surround. The glass construction and frames are handled with minimum supports.

Credits

• Text: Courtesy, the architect
• Photographs by Tomaz Gregoric courtesy of Ofis Architects
• Compiled and edited by Varun M. Ajani