Garden dwellings – Oprtalj

Traditional agricultural practices, retaining walls for soil retention and cultivation facilitation, and supporting dry-stone walls form the basis of the design for this smaller, sustainable, landscape-sensitive, socially inclusive tourist complex.

The concept is anchored in the fundamental design values and the specific features of the broader context in which the location is situated – cultivated geomorphology – terraced slopes. Recognized as the main feature of both the broader and narrower agricultural aspects of the environment, terraced slopes provide the foundation for shaping the building volumes.

The primary reference for the new construction is therefore not necessarily found in traditional residential building, but in agrarian landscape design, slopes, retaining walls, gardens, and orchards. Three accommodation units integrate into the terrain by rehabilitating one terrace each, thereby preserving the value of the surrounding vistas of Oprtlja and fitting into the natural and cultural environment.

Both the accommodation units and the multipurpose building feature a prominent, elevated main space designed under a sloped dual-pitched roof (stone or cupa), while the ancillary parts of the building are concealed under green roofs that blend with the terrain. Local stone and greenery dominate the appearance of all external building elements, emphasizing the experience of the retaining walls.

To seamlessly integrate the accommodation facilities into the terrain, a semi-submerged basement floor is used in the design. Facilities are positioned “behind” stone retaining walls, covered with green roofs featuring a thicker substrate layer in the sleeping areas, while the daytime areas feature a dual-pitched stone roof at the level of the upper terrace, extending from the front roof plane onto the retaining wall. The retaining wall is interrupted precisely in the segment of the sloped roof, forming a sort of porch, with enclosed spaces recessed in relation to the retaining wall direction. This also ensures that glass panels are recessed into a secondary, shaded plane to avoid discordant appearances on the retaining wall surface, which simultaneously forms the main facade of the building.

The layout of volumes on the plot is ultimately determined by the aim to integrate seamlessly into the context, fully guided by existing terraces, orientation, existing access, and the program consisting of three accommodation units and a communal social building. This setup ensures comfort and privacy in the accommodation area, with openness and accessibility to the public in the social area, all harmoniously integrated into the natural and cultural environment.

Shared facilities within the main building include a functional kitchen area for breakfast service with a dining room, entrance hall spaces, reception, bar, visitor bathrooms, staff room, service and utility rooms, and a multipurpose hall. This facility offers social programs such as creative workshops, yoga, recreation, exhibitions, small celebrations, business gatherings, etc., aiming to bring together locals, guests, visitors, and passersby.