AC Pentlja site lies in the area of ​​city central activities without housing. The actual use of the western part of the plot is predominantly agricultural (64 %) whereas the eastern part serves mainly for commercial and small housing buildings with the addition of an abandoned bus stop (36 %). The current use on the site is inadequate according to the dynamics of the city's development plan. As this site represents one of the main points of entry to the city, it is necessary to transform and develop it according to the surrounding program. As this action falls under the expansion of the city, it is necessary to produce a municipal spatial plan, where all the applicable regulations will be implemented. Even though the area is heavily burdened with traffic and noise, the area still represents a great potential for the development of activities related to transport links (car and rail transport) by connecting to the existing Park and Ride ‘Dolgi most’ and planned railway passenger stations along the main regional and long-distance passenger routes and high-speed railways.

​

Considering all given limitations and input data, the decision was made to take buffer and protection zones as definite factors, that were our starting point to define the maximum building dimensions. We decided on a concept of a 'CAR CITY', a local enclave, where personal cars are not prosecuted but find their space in an abundance of parking spaces. A typical user of such area is a person who lives far from the city, commutes daily by car, leaving it on the outskirts, in order to enjoy the city center without worrying about the parking costs and the stress of finding a parking space. This person can be a resident of the nearby or distant surroundings or a foreign family who opts for the combination of a night rest and a quick visit to the city of Ljubljana on their way to the Adriatic Riviera.

​

Three building volumes are placed on the vast public plaza and form a cluster of independent buildings. The cluster which has a strong visual overall common identity marks the location as an important point in the city. Entrances to the individual building units are formed by folding the basic building volumes. This creates covered entrances to the buildings at the ground floor, that serve as an intermediate spaces between the street and the building. The chosen atrium typology of buildings responds to the edge conditions while inwardly it forms inverted green space protected from the noise of surrounding traffic.

​

In order to ensure a strong visual identity and visibility of the area we took graphical elements usually used in traffic signalization. A very contrasting combination of black and white represents a strong warning, attracts attention and at the same time confuses and excites passers-by. The entire public plaza is therefore graphically and visually strong, using white traffic lines which together with the black drainage concrete and asphalt create a point of orientation in the space and connect the entire area with the concept of 'CAR CITY'. The parking spaces are not strictly defined, as they are a 'shared space', where users constantly move borders. The parking plaza is shared by both external visitors and everyday users. The black and white plaza is occasionally interrupted with the landings of greenery and small forests groves in order to meet the greenery requirements.

​

​

​

Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Project date: 2017

Site Area: 18.574 m2

Building Area: 5.676,91 m2

Total floor Area: 23.492,96 m2

Type: office/commercial/hospitality

Client: Private

 

Project team: SVET VMES, d.o.o.: Jure Hrovat, Ana Kreč, Marko Kavčič