Throughout history, Vrhnika has stood as an important outpost at the intersection of major roads ever
since Roman times. Until the construction of new transport links (Trieste–Vienna), the Ljubljanica
river was one of the main transport routes for shipping goods. Consequently, a strong industry and
transportation network flourished in the area. The town and the river played an important role in the
operation of the Idrija mercury mine, serving as a storage hub for a substantial amount of grain.
The Idrija warehouse, positioned between the once main roads (Ljubljanica and Tržaška cesta), was
crucial for the mine in Idrija. Today, the existing building and its surroundings lie abandoned and
receive minimal maintenance. This area presents an opportunity for the restoration of a building at
the city’s entrance and the revitalisation of the riverside area.
This task required an in-depth investigation into the time of construction and usage history of the
building. I delved into the significance of the Ljubljanica river in the area and its historical utilisation.
Although the building, now degraded, once held significant social and economic value, the need
for such a facility no longer exists. The goal is to transform it into a cultural and historical centre
through the principles of “adaptive reuse”. The existing structure is renewed and accompanied by
the establishment of a new public program. The surroundings of the building are reconfigured into
a new public space. By setting up a pavilion by the river, my goal is to create modern architecture
intertwined with the existing cultural heritage and surrounding nature.
This task aims to breathe new life into the riverside area, highlighting the significance of the Ljubljanica
river in Vrhnika’s local history and contributing to the restoration of the existing cultural heritage, i.e.
the Idrija warehouse.
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