The project involves renovation of three Baroque block
houses with an enclosed internal court in the old city center next to the City
Hall, opposite the Robba Fountain and close to Plecnik's three bridges.
Existing condition: All three
courtside block are owned by Publishing Company. The ground floor is used as
bookshop and the spaces above on the first floor were used for offices and last
adapted in the early eighties. The internal court was rebuilt as a closed, semi
glazed service space used for the building’s main air conditioning devices.
The brief required to connect the houses into one
single unit with implementation of 12 apartments around the small internal
court. Baroque elevations facing the street had to be mainly reconstructed to their
original state, the internal court on the other hand could be adapted and
revitalized; both under the State Heritage supervision. The concept reinstates
the existing court as a new central communicating space between levels and apartments.
At the same time provides light into the apartment spaces overlooking the
court. Since the court is very narrow and enclosed from all sides the main
concern was how to provide as much light as possible and to become a central form
of internal garden. The result is a fully glazed envelope formed along with
reflective elements covering historic elements on the courtyard elevations.
The reflective façade glass
parts are outlines of historical stone arches, pillars and slabs, which were
discovered during the construction. These historical elements become part of
the interior and form reflections on the glazed envelope. Together with the
transparency of the apartment spaces and reflective elements the court benefits
from additional light and visual elements. Exterior features such as tower of Ljubljana Dome and the
castle are also reflected down into the courtyard.
Sustainable issues: Maximum spaces are used for living areas, the internal
court is open-air; gains natural light for internal apartment spaces together
with providing natural ventilation.
Central atrium works as generator of light and natural ventilation. Since the
facades are mirror
reflective they bring sunlight into apartments with reflection effect.
All apartments are cross ventilated and can be naturally ventilated and cooled.
All new windows have triple glazing; extra thickness of thermal isolation is
calculated to respond all requirements of low energy consumption. Heating is
central from the City central plant.
Summary: Renovation of three adjacent houses transforms an originally
contained internal courtyard into an open-air contemporary glass light well. Street
elevations have been maintained in accordance with heritage rules while the
inward-facing transparent enclosure has been revitalized to create
opportunities for communication between apartments at different levels. Twelve
units are arranged around the central void which overlooks a ground level
garden. The surface's reflective finish increases illumination levels within
the narrow chasm, introducing daylight into the open floor plans which maximize
natural light sources. Placed inside the curtain wall, the historical stone
arches, pillars and slabs which were discovered during construction become
interior elements, and similarly reflect through the glass. Ventilation from
the court circulates through the dwellings while the roof top residences
receive cooling breezes eliminating the need for additional air conditioning.
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