ALUO Triptych

New Academy of Arts and Design building in Ljubljana is designed as a "TRIPTYCH", a compact composition of three simple building volumes: the existing reconstructed academy building with administration offices, the new boxy volume with student ateliers and views of the centrally positioned inner atrium, and the newly designed pedestal with horizontal and vertical exhibition spaces, lecture halls, workshops, and service areas that create a dynamic whole and the new image of ALUO.

Wide staircase, ascending toward the existing historical building, will allow a smooth transition to the public plaza, where numerous large scale sculptures and urban furniture will be placed. The space of the atrium is like a "carte blanche", empty space surrounded with a concrete grid, housing art studios for sculpture, painting, industrial design and restoration.

The two main fire escape stairs, located diagonally in opposite corners of the building, allow separation of levels for different tenants with separate entrances. There is a possibility to vertically connect the ground, 1st and 2nd floor level, creating double and triple height spaces, by removing the prefabricated slabs. Therefore, this light, generic, perimeter block design with the inner atrium allows for many spatial alterations in the future.

Along the Erjavceva Street, it will be possible to observe the activities within the underground and tower exhibition gallery through the spread brick facade and wide glass openings.

The tower will host large-scale art installations that will attract passers-by to visit exhibitions in the underground gallery and the inner atrium. Although it may appear to be the least flexible element of the complex, the tower has been designed with adaptability in mind: by adding floor slabs, a fixed vertical core, and windows on each level, it can easily be transformed into smaller offices, studios, or spaces for artists in residence.