Ljose Yourself in the Architecture of Ljubljana

As the Slovenians among you already know, today is Statehood Day, which is the perfect occasion for taking a closer look at the architecture of Ljubljana (if, like me, you are struggling, it’s Lyoo-blyah-na). The capital city’s geography, history, and culture make for an even more interesting architectural setting than your average metropolis.

A brief history to begin: after 1815, Ljubljana (German: Laibach) was integrated into the Austrian Empire as the capital of the Slovene Duchy of Carniola. As the empire became industrialized and interconnected, so, too, did the cultural exchange between Ljubljana and Vienna increased in turn. In particular, this is exemplified by the numerous edifices imitating the look of the Viennese Secession — occasionally surpassing the original, as in the case of the 1901 Dragon Bridge by Josef Melan and Jurij Zaninović.

After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, Ljubljana and the Slovenes became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. After World War II, the now-socialist Slovenia joined the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, from which it eventually declared independence in 1991, 24 years ago today. 13 years later, Slovenia would join the European Union.

For the architecture enthusiast, Slovenia’s capital city represents an enticing slice through history, from its medieval castle to the decorative joys of the Austrian Empire. Today, as the city embraces its history while also looking for a new identity, we can look to Ljubljana as a case study for compelling architecture that is economically efficient.

Jurčkova by Enota and Bruto

The façade of this apartment row is greatly enlivened by the addition of precast concrete loggias, which also serve to enhance the privacy of the residents within. By varying the alignment and handedness of the two asymmetric loggia types (window and balcony), the firms Enota and Bruto have efficiently created a great amount of visual interest.

Hayrack Apartments by OFIS Architects

The Hayrack Apartments take their name and their principle design feature from the Slovenian vernacular: the X-shaped wooden beams are a direct homage to local barn building. In the case of these apartments, they do not hold in hay, they act as a cover for the exterior walkways and balconies of the apartment complex.

Condominium Trnovski Pristan by SADAR + VUGA

Academics may debate how to truly dematerialize a building, but the Condominium Trnovski Pristan demonstrates how it may be done in a cost-effective manner using multicolored ceramic tiles as ‘pixels’ to blur the features of the façade.

City Museum Extension by OFIS Architects

The City Museum of Ljubljana is located in the Auersperg Palace, an important edifice in the heart of the city with foundations dating back before the Romans. With additions to the site over the years, an extension was needed to unify these disparate parts and allow for a museum program. The grand spiral at the heart of OFIS Architects’ design literally and figuratively links the prehistoric with the modern day.

Hotel Nox by NIMO Studio d.o.o.

The Hotel Nox was conceived in part as a showroom for furniture — which explains the curved laminate elements of the building front, intended to link up in the manner of a Chesterfield sofa.

650 Apartments by OFIS Architects

The 650 Apartments are noteworthy for two reasons: one is the tight budget, as the competition mandated a maximum cost of €500 per square meter. The second is the façade, which consists of two layers — an inner face and outer one — that allows for a number of protected terraces, semi-open verandas, and glazed loggias.

Baroque Court Apartments by OFIS Architects

The Baroque Court Apartments project represents the unification and revitalization of three historic buildings near the city center. While the façade had to remain true to the original, the courtyard was open for re-imagination. OFIS Architects have accomplished this re-imagination by inserting a glass mantled walkway into the courtyard to allow for circulation.

Bonus: if this isn’t the feline representative of the architectural profession, I don’t know what is.