With the underground connection of the two atria, a bright and multistory in-between space is created where a large school library and all the key school programs for the education of future economists move. A heart of the school is created.

With the construction of an extension to the existing Ljubljana School of Economics, formerly the Trade Academy and a two-year trade school, built between 1931-34 according to the plans of architect Vladimir Šubic, the original, internal schoolyard was divided into two narrow atriums, which enable natural lighting of the classrooms of the existing building and the extension. The north atrium is completely introverted and surrounded by high facades. Even in the summer, it remains in the shade, damp and cramped, while the southern visually opens onto Hrovatin's garden. Its airiness and a view of the green treetops of the neighboring 'micro park' provide the potential for creating a high-quality outdoor school space. The current disconnection of the atria creates small, inaccessible spaces with no utility value.

With the underground connection of the two atria, a bright and multistory in-between space is created - the school library, which creates a large, transitional area between the two atriums. Existing underground spaces are no longer abandoned, dark, and closed, but have become a vital and central part of socializing, learning, working, and other activities. The intervention creates a new 'heart of the school' into which all the key school programs for the education of future economists move. This includes a contemporary, flexible, and bright library, a practical classroom - 'the firm', a multi-purpose meeting room, and a large lecture hall. The stepped design of the terrain of the two atriums allows for better transparency and passability, encourages user circulation around and through the building, and increases the lighting of the basement classrooms of the extension.

Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Project date: 2023

Area: 800 m2

Type: educational, public

Client: School of Economics Ljubljana

​

Project team: SVET VMES, Ltd: Jure Hrovat, mia; Ana Kreč, mia; Žan Majetič, student