The city of Kranj has historically developed based on its given spatial characteristics and in close connection with natural features, among which the Sava River plays a central role. The river space, once a key infrastructural and economic axis, today represents a potential for the urban transformation of the city fabric, especially in the context of post-industrial degradation. Deindustrialisation, which strongly affected the riverbank areas, has left behind numerous abandoned zones whose spatial and functional potential remains overlooked.
The content of the thesis addresses the issue of industrially degraded areas along the Sava River in Kranj, with a focus on the importance of the river space as a bearer of identity, memory, and sustainable urban renewal. The subject of in-depth research is the area of the former Tekstilindus factory, which in the past was one of the key drivers of the city’s economic development, but today stagnates in an underutilised spatial void.
As with many other industrial areas in Slovenian cities, the case of Tekstilindus represents a situation where architecture and the history of space are inseparably connected with the collective memory of the place. The revitalisation of such areas raises questions about transformation into open public spaces that combine cultural, sports, residential, and recreational functions. In this context, the intertwining of the past with new, sustainably oriented forms of spatial use becomes essential.
The thesis focuses on exploring architectural possibilities for the revitalisation of the Tekstilindus area through the establishment of a sports and cultural centre that builds on the existing identity of Kranj as a city with a strong cultural, sporting, and public character. In this context, the thesis addresses issues of reuse of industrial architecture, the integration of public programmes, and spatial transformation within a contemporary urban planning framework.
The proposed programme includes a memorial park and a museum of the factory’s history, a hotel with a wellness centre, a residential building, buildings with cultural and sports content, and a sports hall. Outdoor areas are designed as a park landscape with organised walking and cycling paths, sports fields, and a riverside promenade, which, together with the designed piers, connects the area with the river. The main emphasis is placed on the renovation of three historic industrial buildings, which spatially and functionally accommodate the main programme of the thesis. The weaving hall and its annex are intended for cultural programmes with creative workshops, studios, and a multipurpose exhibition space. The abandoned bleaching plant is repurposed for sports programmes, including various urban sports, training areas, and spaces for social activities. The interiors of both buildings are designed using a system of double-height volumes that preserve spatial openness and are connected by an elevated walkway, which ensures functional continuity. The exterior and structural elements of the buildings remain unchanged, thus preserving the character of the industrial atmosphere.
The thesis draws attention to the importance of a systematic consideration of urban riverfronts as starting points for sustainable regeneration, connecting architectural design with social reflection, spatial responsibility, and contemporary principles of sustainable mobility.
|
