The Ljubljana Rowing Club, one of the
oldest sports clubs in Slovenia, has
been operating along the Ljubljanica
River for over a century. Today, it
faces spatial limitations and outdated
infrastructure that no longer support
the development of contemporary
sports activities and broader
community programs. The existing
building is undersized, lacks room for
expansion, and offers no adequate
outdoor training areas, while the
interrupted riverside path weakens the
connection between the city and the
natural environment of the
Ljubljana Marshes.
The thesis proposes a contemporary
architectural design that establishes
new spatial conditions for the club’s
operation while creating a public
space that unites sport, culture, and
recreation. The concept derives from
the site’s character and the dynamic
movement of both the river and
rowing. The new building integrates
into the landscape with lightness and
transparency, continuing Plečnik’s
vision of Ljubljana’s water axis. The
design opens the club’s formerly private
domain to public use, transcending the
boundaries of sports infrastructure and
creating an inclusive space accessible
to the wider community.
The basement level accommodates
a boat hangar with service areas,
providing direct contact with the
river and allowing the continuation
of the riverside promenade toward
the Ljubljana Marshes. The ground
floor combines club facilities with a
multifunctional space and a riverside
café. Outdoor areas – terraces, stands,
and walkways – extend the public realm,
inviting gathering, observation,
and movement.
The design of the Ljubljana Rowing
Club re-establishes the relationship
between the city and the river, creating
a contemporary, open, and accessible
public space that connects sport,
community, and nature into a unified
spatial experience.
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