House Under the Poplars: Context-Sensitive Architecture

Reading Reconstruction Within an Existing Urban Fabric

The House Under the Poplars project is located in the Naselje Murgle neighborhood in Ljubljana, within a residential context characterized by precise planning and clear urban discipline. However, the significance of the project lies not in its size or completion date, but in the way it engages with its immediate surroundings.

Rather than seeking attention through a loud formal language, the project adopts a calm approach based on reconstruction and modest expansion (122 m²), reflecting an architectural stance that prioritizes “belonging to place” over visual showmanship. Here, design becomes an act of careful reading of the context, not an attempt to redefine it from scratch.

Murgle: An Early Model of Low-Tech Living

To understand the significance of this type of architectural intervention, it is essential to consider the nature of the neighborhood itself. Naselje Murgle was designed by Slovenian architects France Ivanšek and Marta Ivanšek, and executed in phases between 1965 and 1982, following a pattern of incremental self-build construction.

Notably, the neighborhood was not conceived as a traditional architectural showcase, but rather to offer a human-scale model of environmentally-conscious living, long before “sustainability” became a common concept in architectural discourse. As such, it can be regarded as an early experiment in developing a low-tech residential environment relying on simple, effective solutions instead of complex systems.

Collective Identity Over Visual Individuality

The neighborhood exhibits a clear Scandinavian character, partly influenced by the Ivanšek family’s residence in Sweden. Yet, this influence did not manifest as a direct formal quotation, but as a deep understanding of principles such as simplicity, organized repetition, and the use of natural materials.

Consequently, a collective urban identity emerged, not based on the individual distinction of each house, but on an overall harmony that respects human scale and the relationship with nature. This type of planning raises an important question: can architecture be impactful without being loud?

Reconstruction as an Act of Respect for Context

Within this framework, any reconstruction project in the neighborhood can be read as a test of how well it understands these original values. Architectural intervention here is not measured by how different it is, but by its ability to operate within an existing system without disturbing its balance.

Thus, the concept of “expansion” shifts from a mere increase in area to a careful negotiation between the new and the existing; between contemporary needs and the planning legacy. Here, the importance of approaches that view context as a guiding element, rather than an obstacle to overcome, becomes evident.

Symmetrical view of a modern house gable end with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a green lawn. — A symmetrical glass facade blurs the boundary between the internal living space and the outdoor garden.

Close-up of a brick wall and glass window reflecting the sunset with indoor plants visible. — High-quality craftsmanship in brickwork meets expansive glazing to create a warm, light-filled interior.

Cultural Sensitivity in Renovation Projects

Some reconstruction projects reflect an approach that goes beyond mere formal updating toward what can be described as “conscious continuity.” Rather than imposing a new architectural language on an existing fabric, these approaches adopt the principle of gradual refinement of what is already present, preserving the identity of the place while simultaneously developing it.

In this context, the intervention by OFIS Arhitekti, led by Rok Oman and Špela Videčnik, can be read as a model of this type of cultural sensitivity. The original principles of the neighborhood were not seen as constraints that hinder innovation, but as a clear reference framework guiding the development process.

Thus, the concept of renovation transforms from a rupture with the past into a quiet dialogue with it, where “enhancement” becomes a careful process that avoids exaggeration or showmanship.

Visual Transparency and Connection with Nature

The glass façade extending toward the garden exemplifies how transparency can be used to strengthen the connection with the natural surroundings. Rather than acting as a separate element, the façade functions as a visual frame embracing a mature tree on site, enhancing the sense of continuity between interior and exterior.

Meanwhile, vertical wooden slats on the glass sides create a balanced relationship between openness and privacy. They do not sever the visual connection with the surroundings, yet they organize and filter it, maintaining user comfort without complete isolation from the context. This approach reflects thoughtful interior design.

Spatial Sequence and Movement Fluidity

At the interior level, the covered courtyard plays a key transitional role, connecting the master bedroom and its en-suite bathroom with the rest of the spaces. This connection does not rely on traditional enclosed corridors, but on a spatial gradient that allows natural movement and visual flow.

Most importantly, this sequence feels spontaneous and effortless, despite careful planning. Here lies the value of a design that successfully conceals its organizational effort behind a seamless user experience, where occupants feel comfortable without noticing the complexity underlying the arrangement of elements.

Side view of the house showing vertical black wooden slats and a brick pillar in the snow. — Vertical slats provide a rhythmic visual element while offering privacy and light control.

Minimalist interior design with a modern fireplace, wooden ceiling, and designer furniture. — The interior space features a minimalist palette with a central fireplace as a focal point for the living area.

Warmth and Internal Cohesion

At the heart of the house, wooden cladding extends across walls and ceilings, creating a sense of continuity between different spaces and imparting the home’s distinctive warmth. This uniform use of wood goes beyond aesthetics, contributing also to a heightened sense of comfort and visual cohesion.

A notable design detail is the wine cellar located beneath a glass floor panel in the living room. This unexpected touch exemplifies how surprising elements can be introduced without excessive luxury, adding a layer of experiential depth to the house while preserving its primary functions. Such thoughtful use of building materials enhances the overall experience.

Considered Simplicity as a Design Value

The approach toward modesty continues in the remaining spaces, with an additional bedroom suite and a small office, serving as a reminder that disciplined simplicity can become a true luxury when executed with skill. This philosophy emphasizes the quality and functionality of interior design rather than accumulation or showmanship.

Reconstruction as an Intellectual Extension

The house does not aim to reinvent the Naselje Murgle neighborhood or literally mimic its past, but to honor it consciously. Here, the reconstruction project becomes a benchmark for architectural awareness and sensitivity to context, with each intervention carefully considered as a natural extension of an idea worth preserving from the outset.

In this way, the project avoids conventional classifications; it is neither a full restoration nor a wholly innovative reimagining, but a model demonstrating how renovation can respect history and context while providing contemporary functions and a thoughtfully crafted living experience.

Interior view looking out through large windows with vertical wooden louvers and indoor plants. — Strategic placement of windows and louvers allows for framed views of the surrounding poplar trees.

Full view of the house facade covered in snow, framed by snowy branches of poplar trees. — The “House Under the Poplars” stands as a quiet intervention within its snowy landscape.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

While the House Under the Poplars project provides a clear example of context-sensitive reconstruction, certain aspects may raise broader architectural questions. On one hand, the project demonstrates a tangible concern for visual cohesion and internal fluidity, as well as the connection between spaces and the natural surroundings, offering a calm and stable residential experience.

However, the project remains limited in terms of practical usability and potential expansion; its small size and modest program may not allow this model to be applied to larger projects or more complex urban environments. Similarly, the emphasis on methodological simplicity and modesty imposes constraints on formal and experimental innovation, making it challenging to extract lessons that are easily repeatable in contexts requiring greater flexibility or contemporary technical solutions.

From a broader perspective, the project can be seen as an educational case study on how to read and engage with an urban context sensitively. At the same time, it reminds architects that a conservative and restrained approach may not always be directly applicable in larger or functionally diverse projects. Herein lies the real value: not in offering a ready-made model for replication, but in guiding thinking about how to balance cautious contextual extension with the need for innovative and flexible solutions.