Fix Your Miners’ House
Today, Idrija still has more than 100 miners’ houses. Due to numerous reconstructions, only 18 of them feature more than five typical characteristics and only 8 of those are still inhabited.
A half of Idrija miners’ houses are empty. When Idrija and its vicinity suffer from a severe lack of apartments, this is certainly a problem worth addressing. Renovation and resettlement would therefore have a positive impact both on the revitalisation of the city centre and on the strengthening of the identity and the architectural and urban image of the UNESCO-listed city.
Foreign examples show that preserving traditional construction helps strengthen the identity of the space and can serve as a tool for future successful development of a town.
SUSTAINABILITY
Idrija miners’ house was built from natural, locally accessible materials. In a time increasingly focusing on sustainable construction, miners’ houses can serve as an excellent example. Quality architecture using a combination of wood, stone, and lime plaster.
PRESERVING HERITAGE
Idrija is the oldest Slovenian mining town, proud of its heritage inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List. Miners’ houses, once by far the most common type of housing for mining workers, are also part of this heritage. By restoring them, we can help to preserve a piece pf the rich mining tradition.
OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP
Restoring old residential buildings is a good opportunity to develop quality architecture for the 21st century. By introducing innovative building solutions and using natural materials, it is possible, with the support of experienced professionals, to create a modern living environment that pays homage to the tradition of the place in which it is set.
Frequent questions
… and answers! Follow the link to learn more about some of the most frequent dilemmas faced by the owners of older residential buildings.
How to renovate an Idrija miners’ house
A comprehensive manual for anyone who wants to renovate an Idrija miners’ house! Sixty pages of concrete advice from architects and builders on how to renovate old residential buildings into high-quality and contemporary architecture.
How to finance the renovation
It takes courage and respect for heritage – and finances – to decide to renovate. In this brochure you can find some ways to access cash incentives for the renovation of heritage buildings.