Bratuš Homestead

The Bratuš Homestead is located in the village of Bistrica ob Sotli in Kozjansko, one of the poorest areas of Slovenia. Due to migration, many homesteads have been abandoned. The project saw an opportunity in revitalizing the homestead by creating an intergenerational center, where young and old can live together in mutual support — with three assisted-living units and one unit for a young family. At the same time, it serves as an example of construction that respects the use of local materials and the principles of rural spatial design while incorporating contemporary architectural solutions.

The main design challenge was the intervention within a protected settlement heritage area, where two auxiliary buildings had to be replaced with new structures and new functions while preserving key spatial elements — such as the proportions between building volumes, the character of the space, and traditional craftsmanship, especially carpentry techniques that have nearly been forgotten. One of the guiding principles of the design was simplicity — not as the absence of detail, but as a deliberate emphasis on the skill of master craftsmanship, which is slowly disappearing and being replaced by global standardized solutions that, while technically advanced, lack a connection to local identity. With this design concept, the authors enabled the participation of local builders and promoted the use of local construction materials and elements.

The renovation of the existing building and the construction of two new ones follow a common principle: simple building technologies refined through thoughtful design. The lower part is built of brick with mineral insulation, while the upper timber structures and roofs are crafted as pure carpentry works without glued wood or composites. All walls are finished with mineral plaster, and the exterior combines a small-scale timber façade with a simple, well-detailed roof inspired by the tradition of the Slovenian kozolec (hayrack). The structural concept constitutes an important expressive component of the overall design. The principles of sustainability are not understood as technologically advanced systems of optimization integrated into the design, but rather as a design process grounded in local knowledge and locally sourced materials. In this way, continuity is preserved, as well as the building’s capacity for autonomous maintenance and care.