Biotehniska Fakulteta / Arhitektura Krušec

Architects: Arhitektura Krusec
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Directors in Charge: Lena Krušec, Tomaž Krušec and Vid Kurinčič
Collaborators: Vanja Milosavljevič , Jan Šavli, Domen Fučka , Tina Mikulič, Jurij Nemec , Nina Polajnar, Miha Prosen
Investor: University of Ljubljana and Biotechnical Faculty
Project Area: 2,700 sqm
Design Year: 2007-2008
Construction Year: 2009–2010
Photographs: Miran Kambič

The building is constructed within a large area in which various buildings of the Biotechnical Faculty are positioned as pavilions among groves of fruit trees. The building is a functional and conceptual continuation of the existing faculty complex.

It houses a large representative lecture hall, the dean’s office and central library.

plan 01

In spite of the poor construction state of the existing building, it is the only context of design and organization the new building design could relate to.

In accordance with the above, all communication passages in the new building are connected to hallways in the existing building.

The main entrance is designed from the western side, combining with the existing building entrance to create a large entry platform with benches. The entry platform serves to functionally and perceptively combine two dislocated entries into a unified whole.

The connection to the existing building is also obvious at the level of façade design, as it resumes the composition scheme of the existing building. The façade dynamics reflect the functional layout of internal premises and load bearing construction.

The library, acting as the “house of learning” is symbolically placed above the main entrance. As the sanctuary of all written knowledge of the faculty, the library has a dominant position both in the direction of the main entrance and in the direction of the main hall.

Special attention is paid to orientation of the halls that never end as “blind alleys”. They are rather closed by glass walls that allow users a view into the surroundings.