Excerpt: Jezero Residence by Enota is a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Gorenjska house, adapted to Bled’s distinctive landscape and urban context. Two rows of low residential units form a paved inner courtyard, creating the impression of a dispersed settlement. Pitched roofs, wooden details, and a coherent composition preserve the local scale while introducing contemporary living.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Jezero Residence is located in Bled, one of the most picturesque areas of Slovenia, set against the backdrop of the Julian Alps. The site on Ribenska Street combines the advantages of proximity to the town centre with the tranquillity of the surrounding landscape. The residential complex is designed as a response to the challenge of integrating contemporary living into a historically and scenically distinctive environment.
Instead of a single residential block permitted by the zoning plan, the chosen typology is a condominium complex. It consists of two rows of low residential units connected by shared underground level housing parking and service spaces. Between the two rows lies an inner courtyard – a paved atrium that forms the social heart of the complex. This courtyard serves as a semi-public communal space, designed to encourage interaction among residents while providing a safe and controlled environment – a feature particularly suited to a location where many apartments are used as occasional or holiday homes.
The individual units are arranged over three levels. The ground floor accommodates living areas that open onto private gardens through large glazed openings; the upper floor houses bedrooms, while the basement provides service areas and direct access to the garage. The architectural expression is defined by a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional motifs – wooden details, rhythmic façade articulation, and pitched roofs – creating a sense of individuality within a coherent composition.
The architectural concept is based on an exploration of the spatial proportions characteristic of the traditional Gorenjska house, defined by its gabled roof and simple composition. These archetypal elements are reinterpreted through contemporary spatial and technological principles, adapted to the urban context where compact built structures meet open views towards the lake. Despite the relatively high building density, the project preserves the local scale and spatial dynamics through a low, articulated form that follows the natural topography and creates the impression of a dispersed settlement.
The structural system is based on solid timber construction, built without adhesives, metals, or chemicals. Cross-laid wooden panels joined with wooden dowels ensure exceptional mechanical stability, durability, and a healthy indoor environment. The combination of natural materials, wooden façades, and carefully crafted details creates a warm and comfortable interior atmosphere, while allowing the architecture to integrate subtly and respectfully into the natural landscape of Bled.
Drawings
Images
