Arhišektura is hyper-sustainable Slovenian nationwide program for renovation/reuse/recycle of 466344 socialistic era houses - Slovenia's 'slum'. Aims to give people authentic live, eat, sleep, work experience in thoughtfully-modernly designed space in Climate & Biodiversity Crisis - CBC era. Arhišektures are at no circumstances build as new, not at land, air or water. We set prototype / invention. More Arhišektures, more NATURE!
We do not building new, we renovate & innovate - RENOINNO!
National
Slovenia
Central Slovenia
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
No
No
Yes
2007-04-11
As a representative of an organization, in partnership with other organisations
Name of the organisation(s): Studio db ai Type of organisation: Non-profit organisation First name of representative: Dominika Last name of representative: Batista Gender: Female Nationality: Slovenia Function: Founder and CEO Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Brajnikova 14 Town: Ljubljana Postal code: 1000 Country: Slovenia Direct Tel:+386 41 877 703 E-mail:dominika.batista@studiodbai.com Website:https://www.arhisektura.si/
Slovenian slum - elephant in Slovenia's room
2014, we identified Slovenian built landscape as post-socialist 'slum'. While individual construction occupies small percentage of 302 km2 of Slovenia's land with houses, this is visually reflected as an almost continuously built-up natural landscape in relation to total land area of 20,273 km2. It is landscape of phobic, outdated, dark, delusional, undignified houses, which disfigure, enslave and suffocate. Gigantic post-socialist single-family building stock of Yugoslav era consists of 466 344 individual houses (environmental footprints) in which more than three-quarters, or 1 632 204 Slovenians, live. Each house has an average of 300m2. That is 85 m2 / person.
UN makes clear, right to adequate housing is basic right of all earthlings. UN also make it clear that we all have power and responsibility to shape future of our cities, towns, villages, hamlets. For decades, Arhišektura has recognised post-socialist 'slum' as golden opportunity. Firstly from point of view of environmental protection, secondly as potential green economic boom and thirdly as fight against Climate & Biodiversity Crisis - CBC. We have been warning Slovenian governments for decades, this outdated building stock, with its existing dysfunctional and out-of-shape design, is destroying everything you/we stand for. One of biggest culprits of CBC is construction industry (generating approx. 40% of world’s annual CO2 emissions), of which we planners/landscapers/architects are part, and it is clear that we are no longer allowed to build new on new sites. We need to stop building new houses on unspoilt natural sites.
Socio-economic-cultural mobilisation of RENOINO is needed for circular construction/economy.
Our solution is recycled house is ‘House of hanging trees H 4002’, designed and constructed with innovative process - 9 steps to victory - how to recycle an outdated socialist structure into modern dynamic body of architecture for era of CBC.
Arhišektura for all - RENOINNO!
protection of natural ecosystems & biodiversity
complete circular construction industry
appropriate recycled, regenerated built environment
new lifestyles of local heritage & artistic dynamics
9 steps to victory - or how to recycle an outdated house into Architecture
An existing house from Yugoslav Socialist era was inherited by investors in third construction phase. Without any professional help, they have been gradually improving it with their own ideas and their own efforts for 15 years. Each time, they were even more unhappy and dissatisfied. It was about 300 m2 in size, built on three floors: a slightly deepened cellar, a ground floor raised one metre above garden, and an attic which was never finished. As they are poor, fed up with all disturbances house causes them on a daily basis, they are also ready to sell it and build a new modern, beautiful and happy house on a new location.
Studio db ai makes a pre-investment study. Selling an existing house is a big effort, especially because of purchase of a new plot (utilities, etc.). Only sensible economical and environmentally friendly decision is to recycle/renovate existing house. Investors are proposed a radical and complete renovation strategy, which seems shocking at beginning, but which turns out to be a complete success in end.
Three major reorganisations are involved.
1. immediate removal of entire never-finished attic, approx. 100 m2 of completely redundant and non-functional space, which only gives rise to worries and false hopes that it will one day be needed. 2. Complete redesign and redefinition of deep basement into a low garden ground floor, i.e. into a living space connected to garden, of approx. 100 m2. 3. Complete design reorganisation of raised ground floor (biggest obstacle to quality communication with garden) into a sleeping space for a family of three of approx. 100 m2. 3. Complete design reorganisation of raised ground floor (biggest obstacle to quality communication with garden) into a sleeping space for a family of three of approx. 100 m2.
All this is done for only a third of price of new house. Two thirds of old/existing building materials are recycled.
External appearance of House 4002 is modern structure directly connected to garden.
On eastern façade of house, a carport and a large terrace accessible from children's apartment on first floor are added. Large bright flowing living spaces on garden floor. It is dominated by a preserved tiled stove. Old heating element provides most comfortable warmth and connects past with future. Light modern wooden staircase, is a beautiful accessory to overlooking dining room. Large facades glazing provide plenty of sunlight inside. On garden ground floor, we sit in cool shade in summer under hanging tree - artificial pergola. Economic & sustainable use of materials ensure a sophisticated appearance and reflect pulse of modern life. Space mean furnishing space with indispensable things, from a bicycle, favourite playground or chair. Feeling in living structure is enjoying being among everyday useful elements and bespoke aesthetics of architectural elements. Flexibility of space; a house renovated into a dynamic body - wall moves to where it is needed, windows are not holes in wall, but a simultaneous system of natural and artificial light. Living space is a reflection of things we like - airy bright spaces, variety of furniture elements, different layouts when we want to change those. In an era of Climate & Biodiversity Crisis, design of recycled House 4002 make us comfortable, safe and healthy.
Economic and systemic role of " Arhišektura’s Gardens of Europe" is invaluable. Key objectives, based on scientific & professional foundations, decades of experience:
1. National spatial design of uniqueness in CBC era for Slovenia, for people to accept a new way of life, a new socio-economic behaviour of "enoughness / sufficiency".
2. Divert damaging construction industry (operating in Slovenia), including prefabricated construction, from "building new" in pristine natural areas towards renovating existing dilapidated non-functional individual socialist era houses.
Architecture is a cornerstone for direction of a new green development of Slovenian society, acting inclusively for whole range of social models for transformation into a new and appropriate society to combat CBC.
4. Economy for people - Economy Small is beautiful: as if people matter: new house costs 410 000 euros, Archišektura house recycle costs 133 000 euros. One third of price means behaving economically, sustainably, environmentally friendly!
Three pillars to fight CBC: Green energy knot, self-sustaining garden/ orchard, desirable care of fauna.
6. Socio-economic mini-cell, 90% of Slovenian economy.
7. Includes: almost three quarters of population of Slovenia, 1598 licensed architectural/landscape studios, 6239 engineers, civil, electrical, mechanical, etc., who will collaborate with architects in planning of renovation, 20 suppliers of prefabricated houses, 19220 construction companies, state institutions consider this historic case as a priority. European funding is to be channelled into this project for a period of five-ten years, as it involves almost all sectors of country's economy.
Families directly benefited living in RENOINNO houses. Recycled houses, like House 4002, Atrium A in Slovenia are new carrier of economy, are home, important part of architectural tourism. Long before, and during pandemic, home become everything; office, classroom, kindergarten, gym, sweatshop, shop, etc. Let us renovate outdated houses and character of people will be renewed!
Indirect benefit, i.e. inspiration and encouragement to participate in recycling of houses, has been shared by all citizens through media where projects has been publicised: Hiše magazine, Dessa gallery exhibition 11 x 1, Golden Pencil Award by ZAPS, Radio Television Slovenia Ars360, network Open Houses Worldwide, OHS.
Citizens of Slovenia were also invited to actively participate in portal by submitting questions and pictures www.arhisektura.si/vprasajte-se.
All interested Slovenian civil society was able to experience in real or virtual reality original (indigenous) contemporary architecture that has enhanced suburbs / countryside.
In framework of UN Habitat, www.arhisektura.si/un-habitat, in 2014 - 2022, municipal & office employees, townsmen & women, villagers, teachers were invited to participate in real and online action entitled 'Orihišagami - Slovenian 'slum' event', primary school staff, high school staff, pupils, teachers, children, college staff, students, firefighters. At least 1 632 204 people in Slovenia are to be affected by this project.
Arhišektura concept is foundation for transformation from within - much needed to stop harming nature, to stop flight to cities - urbanisation is an outdated phenomenon, harmful to biosphere on which our survival depends. Decentralisation is essential regeneration approach for survival in CBC era.
Architecture project is influencing wider professional public, architects, designers, urban planners, environmentalists, builders.
Slovenian Government was called upon in 2014 & 2022 to support this important national project.
Inter/national level Arhišektura roots: 'Pico natura region 2010' & 'Reanimation. Less Architecture. More nature. 2011'. A special team identified problem and proposed strategies for solutions. Projects were nominated to represent Slovenia at Venice Biennale of Architecture. www.arhisektura.si/korenine
Added value of client-architect-contractor is most visible at physical level in space, i.e. through implementation of a renovation/reuse/recycling project. Innovative design results impacted physical environment and will last there for decades, centuries.
Experienced team of consultants, structural, electrical, mechanical, civil engineers, and construction team of building managers, long-time associates of Studio db ai, were key to achieving objectives, guiding project with integrity in its design and execution perfect results.
A well-known photographer helped to promote and spread idea. Accomplished designer created a website, logo, and all graphic design for Arhišektura &Studio db ai.
For official approval of visionary design project, municipality officer with a broad and flexible view of the is much needed.
Added value of Slovenia citizens in "Arhišektura" project, on a virtual level is active daily participation in portal www.arhisektura.si. People have possibility to receive free daily training, to commission a renovation project or to participate in mass awareness-raising campaigns such as "Slamajznami".
General public participating in OHS Architecture Festival / Open House Worldwide network, and contribute to improving living culture and raising awareness of values of quality built environment. It is a network of 50 organisations, 1 million people participating and 18 000 volunteers facilitating nearly 2 million visits to buildings each year. Open House worldwide is largest celebration of urban landscapes in world, which Arhišektura and Studio db ai are partners.
Arhišektura involves a multitude of teams from different fields. Effective contribution to added value comes from years of experience, best creatives, scientists and experts, innovative spirit of leader, utter commitment for a goal, client's taste for modern approaches, and an administration oriented towards a green and digital future development.
Philosophy-philos. & Ethics; aesthetics, philos. of economics, perception, space, environmental ethics, business ethics. Architecture-arch. & Design; arch., architectural analytics, interior arch., graphic design, interior design, landscape arch. & design, urban planning, technical drawing. Economics-econ.; environmental, green, ecological, energy, real estate, resource econ. Sociology; urban studies urban/rural sociology, sociology of art, culture, natural resources, space, family, architectural sociology, European Slavic studies. Psychology; community, cultural, ecological, environmental psychology. Environmental-envr.; envr. geography, geology, hydrology, botany, landscape ecology, horticulture, geometry and topology, geodesy, envr., waste management, sustainability studies, sustainable development, housing. Arts & Digital; decorative arts, digital art, photography, user experience design, interaction design, information architecture, visual communication, computer vision, multimedia. Communication & promotion; creative writing, photography, recording, television, stage design, journalism, media, communication. Administrative; administrative law, environmental law, property law, civil law, business management, civil and public service, energy policy. Urban/rural and geography-geogr.; human, behavioural, cultural, development, population, strategic, urban/rural geogr. Engineering-engr.; environmental, earthquake, geotechnical, structural engr., structural mechanics, surveying, electrical engr., materials science and engr. Other; acoustics, ergonomics, statistics, alternative education, structural fire protection
Slovenian natural/cultural landscape is a hybrid of unspoilt nature, socialist individual houses.
Arhišektura with principle of RENOINNO (RI) , fully protects nature, biomes, and connects with fauna and flora. Advocates for a food forest on micro-location/garden/orchard. Fights scattered new building construction and unacceptable/unjustified destruction of natural habitats.
Self-ownership during socialism was only guarantee for families to maintain economic value of their property. Owning a house is identity and pride of a Slovene. Arhišektura, preserves traditional sense of belonging, while allowing majority of Slovenian population to modernise their living units/economic cells for CBC era.
As independent platform, prioritisation of places and people most in need is not (yet) entirely up to Arhišektura. If Slovenian government were to integrate Arhišektura's visions into national policies, proposed spatial, urban/rural and architectural approaches & strategies would certainly reach people who need it most.
We have proposed to SLO GOV: Engage-awareness-encourage all people to mobilise in RI, to be organised through a national campaign 'Slamajznami'. Creation of 5 RI round tables; architects, construction industry, prefabricated house providers and all interested parties should be involved/invited to five regionally creative RI round tables: Central Slovenian, Gorenjska, Primorje-Notranjska, Dolenjska, and Styrian-Carinthian-Prekmurian RI round table. They should be organised locally, e.g. a group of Gorenjska architects, with Gorenjska builders and suppliers for inhabitants of Gorenjska, etc. Planning of RI working studios/workshops (4 months)
Conducting a minimum of fifty samples of RI Arhišektures, 10 in each of five regions (6 - 8 months). Implementation of a good and fast RI sample campaign spreading across country - long term
Arhišektura is 90% successful in creating a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life cycle thinking.
Conventional house recycling, in most cases, uses materials we think of as rubbish, or something it is thrown away and consequently affects aesthetics, durability, health. They are often built from scratch on unspoilt natural locations. House recycling by Arhišektura philosophy is seen as a highly innovative and bold process of transformation from inside out, with a bespoke aesthetic. It is economical and accessible to a wide audience, because two thirds of old fabric is reused. End product is a home for third millennium, connecting three cornerstones of any architecture with a capital A, durability (Firmatis), utility (Utilitas) and beauty (Venustatis) with lavish green eco lifestyle. Product of Arhišektura is durable fantastic inventive home space and remains in hyper sustainable and unique condition for decades, it is highly comfortable, enjoyable, usable by people and works well, and it inspires, influents people and lifts their spirits. It is completely environmentally friendly and locally oriented because 95% of it protects nature.
Arhišektura works on principles of Appropriate Technology https://www.dominikabatistaphd.org/appropriate-arch-tech , whose rules are small scale, decentralized, labour-intensive, energy-efficient, environmentally sound or friendly, locally autonomous. Arhišektura advocates passive (solar, vertical) energy systems and natural technologies for metabolism of urban/rural structures such as plant-based sewage treatment plants.
Arhišektura is not in favour of automation and robotics, of 3D printing of houses, because it considers that this takes jobs and alienates people's manual skills.
Qualities of Arhišektures space are, it can be changed, it can be enlarged and reduced, it is repeatedly traversable, it is traversable in different ways, space is repeatedly directly connected to garden.
For nature lovers who aspire for elegant comfortable and sufficient lifestyles.
More Arhišektura more Nature.
Methodology with principles, tools and techniques at level of prototype / invention of House 4002 - house of two hanging trees or other Arhišektura projects such as Atrium A are as follows:
- Inspirational studies, traveling
- Transparent, truthful and demanding communication with client to win business
- Analysis of space, analysis of existing structure to obtain relevant data for architectural project
- Strategies for architectural and landscape design
- Architectural and landscape preliminary design, architectural and landscape conceptual design for client's approval of idea
- Architectural and landscape design for obtaining building permit/tender and cooperation with all consultants
- Alliance with client's wishes with project price
- Coordination of documentation from at least 7 different fields or disciplines
- Experimental tests on samples, conduct surveys or interviews in workshops
- Discussions and consultations at municipality
- Negotiations with construction contractors
- Project implementation
- Monitoring construction and changes to construction
- Project promotion for media, photography, creative writing
Methodology with principles, tools and techniques at level of design of digital platform Arhišektura.si
- Manifesto
- Analysis of options and selection of best technology or hosting for website
- Strategies for digital design
- Decision for Wix
- New studies and learning Wix programming
- Content design of platform
- Deciding on interactive processes for general public
- Cooperation with partners, architects, house builders, politicians
- Graphic design of platform and collaboration with designer
- SEO and website launch
- Social media integration and blog writing
- Communication with interested new clients of Arhišektura
- Presenting initiative to politicians and government decision makers
- Cooperation with partners for new actions
- Promotion for all types of media
We are very aware of all global challenges, to be precise we are on high alert! and have set up a super-active platform https://www.earthlikeme.org/ where we prioritise healthy land & food, fresh air, clean water. These three things are foundation of life for all flora, fauna and people on Earth.
In addition, we fight against; - harmful built environment, which unfortunately is every new development that encroaches on natural habitats, - harmful economy - capitalism - that works only for benefit of a minority, - harmful politicians and policies that globally are proving incapable of leading nations to prosperity and peace, - destruction of natural habitats and biomes, - harmful production habits that are part of almost all human industries.
Are you ready to follow us?
Construction industry, is responsible for 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions, and proven to be most corrupt industry on planet. Biologists have been pointing out for decades that there is too much man-made artificial flesh on Earth and that nature can no longer balance it. Man and his products have engulfed biosphere to point of collapse.
Arhišektura = THE SOLUTION, and provides a range of strategies for multiple-formulas. Yet it is not heard by leaders and politicians!
Arhišektura call for Slovenian construction industry to make a 180 degree turn, and reorient itself, from building new to renovating existing. An call leaders and politicians to listen to us with visionary ideas, expertise solutions.
Architecture and Studio db ai are signatories of global petition
BUILT ENVIRONMENT DECLARES, public declaration of environmental crises, response to climate meltdown and biodiversity loss.
We are probably one of few practices in Slovenia that actively follow our commitment to environmental conservation 100% of time. https://si.architectsdeclare.com/
