Czech-based firm Bevk Perovic Arhitekti have designed a non-profit apartment project located in Cesta v Gorice, Ljubljana. The client Housing Fund Ljubljana – JSSMOL settled the non-profit apartment location in the degraded area on the edge of the city. The settlement designed as an experimental housing scheme and offers a new home to low-income families and also refugees with residence permits.
To avoid the typical social housing scheme where territories in-between blocks, without clear ownership become desolate areas, the settlement is divided into four enclaves which form independent social units. The building has an S-shape, forming two types of courtyards as semi-private spaces.
All apartments have double orientation. Bright yellow doors mark each individual unit. The apartments have similar entrance modules with sanitary units, wardrobe and kitchen. Balconies are substituted with collective courtyards, to further stimulate social interaction. Storage units, located in the low structures along the road, work as sound barrier, protecting inner courtyards.
The simple concrete construction is clad with cement composite panels. Their appearance changes with the orientation of the facade. Smooth black panels are used on the outside corridors while corrugated panels are used on more exposed parts of the elevation.
Photography by Miran Kambic
