This master's thesis explores the challenges of peripheral rural areas through the case study of the Municipality of Gornji Grad, with a particular focus on the abandonment of old homesteads and the aging population. It raises questions about the future of such regions and, through the design component, seeks architectural and spatial responses to the contemporary issues of rural living. As a typical example of a marginal rural area, Gornji Grad serves as an ideal model for examining both broader questions and concrete design solutions.
An analysis of the area revealed 35 uninhabited sites within the municipality, 12 of which are abandoned homesteads. The highest concentration of these is in the settlement of Nova Štifta, which is therefore examined in greater detail. Statistical data shows a notably high percentage of elderly residents, making them the primary target group of the project.
Based on this, a strategy is proposed for developing the area into a dispersed residential community, spread across the previously abandoned homesteads. To ensure the smooth functioning of such a community, communal spaces with central functions play a key role—places that encourage interaction, cooperation, and mutual support among residents.
One of the four proposed central activity points in Nova Štifta is a therapeutic center located on the abandoned Repenšek homestead. The design part of the thesis focuses on the revitalization of this homestead. Three buildings currently stand on the site: a residential house, a farm building, and a hayrack. Despite the varied former and proposed future uses of the spaces, the project aims to preserve and emphasize key architectural elements that contribute to the authenticity and character of the location.
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