Ofis Sarl

Split Level House

Split Level House

OFIS Architects

Split Level House
© OFIS Architects

ARCHITECTS
OFIS Architects

INTERIOR DESIGN
Saša Šekoranja, Nives Ajdovec

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Project PA

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
STROJNIK

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Elektrobiro

PROJECT TEAM
Rok Oman, Spela Videcnik, Andrej Gregoric, Janez Martincic, Matej Krajnc, Laura Martinez Vega, Ewa Tomczyk, Agnese Nascimben, Justyna Chowaniec, Mateja Obid

PHOTOGRAPHS
Tomaz Gregoric, Janez Martincic, OFIS Architects

YEAR
2024

LOCATION
Ljubljana, Slovenia

CATEGORY
Houses

Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic

Text description provided by architect.

Večna pot, which means “eternal way” in the Slovenian language, is the name of one of the longest streets in Ljubljana.

It connects two distant districts of the city, most of it running through an ancient forest on the slopes of the hills that now form part of Tivoli Park.

Split Level House
© Janez Martincic
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic

According to some historical sources, the road is said to have existed in prehistoric times when the Ljubljana basin was still a lake and the pile dwellings culture flourished on the slopes past which Večna pot now runs.

The villa was built on what was once the shore of a lake that dried up in prehistoric times. The area was at risk of flooding until recently when regulation systems were built. The pre-regulation era led to the evolution of a building typology of houses with a raised ground floor.

Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic

Basements were semi-underground which reduced the danger of flood damage. Access to the ground floor where the main living space was located developed into a unique architectural element: the portico.

The villa is positioned on the corner of two streets and this specific location determined its internal organization and the design of its façades and its two entrances.

Split Level House
© Janez Martincic
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic

A monumental portico leading to the elevated ground floor, which emphasizes and formalizes the ritual of entering the villa, is set in the corner. The portico’s purpose is to make both an imposing accent and to provide a covered way to the front door.

This more formal entrance leads to a foyer and a grand living area. The second entrance to the villa is at street level and is designed for the daily use of the family.

Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric
Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic

In addition to the grand living room, which is connected to the first floor via a double-height void, the ground floor also has a service area, kitchen, and dining and family room.

A rectangular staircase connects all three floors. The upper floor accommodates the sleeping quarters. The double-height space in the house creates a dynamic interplay between the ambiance.

The façade of the villa is designed in black brick. Here, too, a link to the house’s specific location can be found.

Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric
Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic

The soil in the area of the former lake is black peat, and this blackness is also characteristic of the Ljubljana marshes.

Moreover, the use of black bricks served to dematerialize the volume of the house and to provide a contrast with the greenery around the house.

Structurally, the south-west corner cantilevers over the ground floor. A large panoramic glass window is inserted in this part of the house providing a view onto the marsh at the portico entrance.

Split Level House
© Janez Martincic
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic
Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric

The Večna pot Villa paraphrases several eternal architectural themes. First, there is the portico entrance described above. Second, the corner location is a classic theme.

Inside the house, there is the tripartite character of the volume, an almost obligatory part of architecture until modernism, which is also clearly manifested on the façade of the villa.

The overall form skillfully plays with these themes, intertwining and integrating them into the urban fabric.

Split Level House
© Janez Martincic
Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric


Split Level House
© Janez Martincic
Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic
Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic
Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric
Split Level House
© Tomaz Gregoric
Split Level House
© Janez Martincic


Split Level House
Detail 1
Split Level House
Detail 2
Split Level House
Detail 3


Split Level House
South East Elevation
Split Level House
South West Elevation
Split Level House
North East Elevation
Split Level House
North West Elevation


Split Level House
Section B
Split Level House
Section C
Split Level House
Section F
Split Level House
Settlement Plan


Split Level House
Ground Floor Plan
Split Level House
1st Floor Plan
Split Level House
2nd Floor Plan
Split Level House
Site Plan
Split Level House
Situation Plan
Split Level House
Rooftop Plan

Ofis Sarl
Ofis Sarl
4 Impasse Mont Luis 75011 Paris, France