House on the Edge of the Plain

A contemporary pavilion amidst the Murska Sobota landscape

Nestled on the edge of the Murska Sobota plain, the House on the Edge of the Plain redefines the traditional concept of a pavilion, creating a modern space for everyday living. This modest dwelling prioritizes clarity, openness, and a profound connection with its surrounding landscape, steering clear of the visual impact often associated with suburban architecture.

The design adheres to strict urban planning regulations regarding siting, dimensions, and height, yet it consciously departs from suburban norms. Life within the house revolves around the garden, light, and the changing seasons, continuing the local tradition of low-lying homes characterized by generous glazing, deep overhangs, and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. This approach not only pays homage to the modernist legacy of Murska Sobota but also translates it into a contemporary spatial language.

Organized around three reinforced-concrete cores, the house serves as both structural support and technical infrastructure, housing essential spaces such as the bathroom, utility areas, and kitchen. These cores support a flat concrete slab, allowing for an open and flexible living environment. The living and dining areas are oriented towards the south-west garden and terrace, while the sleeping and working spaces provide a more intimate connection to the north-east garden.

A long, double-sided storage wall elegantly separates and connects these zones, maintaining spatial continuity. At the north-west corner, a subtle fold in the roof creates a fully glazed, load-free corner, effectively dissolving the boundary between the interior and exterior. A large timber sliding panorama window on the south-west façade enhances this connection, disappearing into a recessed steel frame to merge the living space with the garden during warmer months.

The exterior and interior of the house feature exposed concrete, cast with local Mura river gravel, lending the surfaces a soft, mineral character. The concrete retains traces of reused formwork, introducing textures, irregularities, and patina that evoke a sense of time and imperfection. This materiality becomes an integral part of the architectural expression rather than merely serving as a neutral backdrop.

Inside, the restrained aesthetic continues with polished concrete floors, built-in furniture crafted from veneered chipboard, reused chairs, and simple, ready-made lighting elements. A compact cast-iron stove anchors the living space during winter, enhancing the domestic atmosphere. Rather than presenting itself as an architectural object, the house is designed as a spatial framework for daily rituals, light, and seasonal changes. With its focus on construction, material honesty, and lived experience, this project offers a serene alternative to image-driven residential architecture, balancing rational structure with a sensitive and poetic relationship to its place.

Design Highlights

• Contemporary reinterpretation of a traditional pavilion

• Emphasis on clarity, openness, and landscape integration

• Organized around three concrete cores for flexibility

• Generous glazing and deep overhangs for seamless indoor-outdoor flow

• Use of local materials, including Mura river gravel in concrete

• A large timber sliding window that merges living space with garden

Key Facts