Studio AKKA: The neo-renaissance villa is situated on the verge of Lake Bled. The area is steep, mostly covered with forest. The scattered remains of the former forest-park – paths and masonry details – unfold the once-discovered potential of the site. The main experiential value is hidden in the sequence of a walk through the forest behind the villa. From time to time, between the dark verticals of the trees, magnificent views open to the lake, to the island and to the castle, while the forest itself unveils interesting ambiences with significant connotations: a watch hut, water reservoirs and relief flats. The proposal conserves and enhances the existing qualities of the environment by revealing certain old structures and adding some new ones, by adding new punctuated planting and enhancing views by removing selected overgrowth. The most appropriate programme, according to the aspirations of the owner, seems to be a sculpture park, which will evolve gradually. It begins with the sculpture at the corner of the ice-cellar behind the villa. The sculpture and the vault of the cellar are reminiscent of a grotto, one of the most important elements of renaissance and baroque gardens. The path will later lead the visitor into the forest, which, while infused with cultural imprints, still preserves some of the calm monumentality of the primordial wild.

Landscape architecture: Studio AKKA (Ana Kučan, Luka Javornik)
Sculpture: Mirko Bratuša, sculpturer
Architecture of the watch hut cover: Maruša Zorec
Construction: Matjaž Filić, EleaiC, Gregor Gruden, IMK
Electroinstallation: Bojan Germovšek
Contractors: Givo, Coston, Arcadia, Pro Horto, Riko Hiše, Ključavničarstvo Kunc, Kamnoseštvo Matošič
Supervision: Iztok Hočevar, IB – Program
Photographer: Peter Koštrun (except aerial)
Location: Bled, Slovenia
Client: Riko d.o.o. Ljubljana
Area: 1,8ha
Design: 2004
Construction: 2009