This master’s thesis addresses the spatial and programmatic renovation of Republic Square (Trg republike) in Ljubljana, a central monument-protected modernist complex designed by architect Edvard Ravnikar. The starting point of the research is the announcement by Nova ljubljanska banka that it will relocate its headquarters from the TR2 high-rise, raising questions about the building’s future. The thesis capitalizes on this historical opportunity to propose the realization of the original urban vision: establishing a representative government district by integrating the core state administration (ministries) into the complex. Due to the large volume of required floor space, the intervention extends beyond the TR2 high-rise to include the neighboring Maximarket building. The methodology is structured around four logically connected chapters. The first two chapters are theoretical and analytical, examining the chronological development of the square and critically analyzing the current spatial fragmentation, high rental costs, and lack of transparency within the Slovenian state administration. Based on these analyses, the third, synthesis chapter examines a scenario involving the state buyout of both buildings and establishes the theoretical foundations for their reorganization. Finally, the fourth, design-oriented chapter provides a concrete architectural solution for the conversion, grounded in cultural heritage valorization. The objective of the thesis is to demonstrate that through spatial centralization, alongside structural and personnel optimization, the state can transform its administration into a more efficient system that is open to the public. The final outcome is a conceptual architectural project for the renovation of the TR2 and Maximarket buildings. Through modern office space design and the integration of public programs, the project provides the necessary spatial conditions for the functioning of the state administration while restoring Republic Square’s primary, monumental, and nation-building function.
|