The Simple House is a modern, prefabricated timber-frame home located in the scenic, rural landscape of Radovljica, Slovenia, and designed by the architectural firm Scapelab. Completed in 2006, the project offers a contemporary take on the traditional, archetypal Slovenian farmhouse. The house was designed to be cost-effective, energy-efficient, and low-maintenance, with a construction process that allowed for rapid on-site assembly The design is centered on a basic pitched-roof volume, but its cladding offers a unique, modern interpretation. The facade features a veil of horizontally oriented timber louvers on the north and south sides, which contrast with vertically oriented zinc panels that cover the roof and parts of the east and west elevations. While the house appears to lack traditional windows from a distance, the louvers and gaps in the timber cladding allow natural light and ventilation to filter into the interior while maintaining a sense of privacy. The design is interactive, allowing occupants to adapt the house to the weather and their mood. The interior and exterior spaces are functionally distributed in a "corridorless" design, with an open floor plan that flows naturally from one space to another. The building opens up onto terraces on both the northern and southern facades, allowing residents to pursue outdoor living depending on the weather; the southern terrace offers warmth on colder days, while the northern terrace provides shade during the summer. Sustainability is a key feature of the Simple House. The highly insulated envelope, combined with solar panels on the roof and a central heating plant, ensures low running costs and a reduced environmental footprint. The use of durable, low-maintenance materials like zinc and wood further contributes to the home's longevity and minimal upkeep needs. Credits Architects: Scapelab Project Team: Marko Studen, Miha Dobrin, Katarina Hostar, Jernej Černe, Jernej Šipoš Photography: Bor Dobrin Location: Kropa, Slovenia