The Boathouse Zuka Lab adapts a heritage boathouse as a research HQ on Lake Bled’s western shore. OFIS Architects meticulously dismantled and restored the 25.5 m² alpine structure using traditional pine-resin treatments before reassembling its wooden planks into a rhythmic slatted facade. This clever design filters daylight and offers transparency, while the building glows softly at dusk, transforming a simple boathouse into a beacon of both tradition and innovation.

A new filtration garden installed on the steeply pitched roof tests eco-friendly water cleansing methods by pumping lake water through planted wooden trays. Inside, the space was upgraded with timber flooring, replacing cold cement tiles to create a warmer, more comfortable environment for researchers. Now serving the Slovenian Environment Agency, the structure supports water-quality monitoring efforts and acts as an educational landmark—showcasing how adaptive reuse can preserve heritage, foster environmental stewardship, and inspire sustainable architecture.

Image Credit: Miran Kambic