In Plečnik’s year we remember his exceptional architecture

This year will be marked by various events and anniversaries. This will be, among other things, the Olympic Year, the Year of European Youth, and the Tartini and Plečnik Years at home.

The government has announced it because we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of the architect Jože Plečnik.

He lived in Ljubljana, but his buildings can be found all over Slovenia.

He also created in Vienna and Prague, where he studied, worked and taught.

His works were not understood at the time, he was even accused of being old-fashioned. He sought inspiration for them in antiquity, from the Greeks and Romans.

Elements characteristic of this time – pillars, pyramids, spheres, arches – can be seen in almost all his works.

Today we know that he was creative, innovative and progressive for his time, say Tina Silič, Barbara Viki Šubic and Tina Gradišer from the Centre of Slovenian Architecture.

He created architecture for people. He placed them at the forefront of public life, placed nature around the city, strengthened the community with his works, advocated a favourable living environment and created a city tailored to pedestrians.

Centre of Slovenian Architecture

His architecture was sustainable. He used local materials and recycled building elements. Did you know that for the pillars of the church of St. Michael’s Church [Cerkev sv. Mihaela na Barju] used sewer pipes?

Sounds familiar? Architects still deal with all these issues today.

They are becoming more and more aware of the beneficial effects of nature, trees, the need for a favourable living space for all residents and the problems that traffic brings to cities.

His trafika [newsstand] will soon be renovated in Ljubljana. The Bank of Slovenia will issue his commemorative coins, and a reprint of a graphic novel about him will also be published soon.

The exceptionality of his architecture is also shown by the inscription of his works among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Points To Consider

1. What is the name of the house where he lived?
2. What is sustainable architecture?
3. Find elements and shapes specific to his style.

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The original version of this article was published on February 2nd.

English translation courtesy of JL Flanner, Total Slovenia News, an English language website with news from and about Slovenia.