Arrea Architecture

Contact

Arrea, arhitektura d.o.o.

Kolarjeva 58, SI-1000 Ljubljana

http://www.arrea.si

info@arrea.si

Phone386 (0) 5 902 4041

Founded byMaruša Zorec

Events abroad

Past Events

• 26 May 2018

  to

  25 Nov 2018

  Italy Venice Arsenale

  
  programme

  
  

  
  

  The installation by Maruša Zorec and presentation of projects by Arrea Architecture

  at the International Architecture Exhibition - la Biennale di Venezia

  
  

  
  

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Founded by Maruša Zorec in 2005, Arrea Architecture is considered to be one of the most prominent architectural bureaus in Slovenia. Though not confined to renovations only, the bureau is however most famed precisely for its subtle takes on the built heritage. With a deft touch they transform such places into functional and contemporary buildings while simultaneously preserving the qualities and logic of the existing structures and their surroundings.

The Arrea Architecture cast of architects is still led by Zorec and (as of 2017) it includes Matjaž Bolčina, Katja Saje, Martina Tepina, Maša Živec, Uroš Rustja, Mark Koritnik, Aleksi Vičič and Tadej Bolta. The better part of their projects in recent years has been awarded prestigious national awards or honourable mentions.

The renovated complex (designed by Arrea Architecture) of the two houses at Karunova Street with the Plečnik Collection in situ, a new permanent exhibition on Jože Plečnik and a study centre, 2015.

Work

The two main elements of Arrea projects are 'light' and 'communication', both clearly legible in their architecture. Their works emphasise the freedom of open spaces, often softening the borders between the interior and the exterior, letting one flow into another.

Some of the 'older' projects include the renovation of the Koroška Central Library, a daytime chapel in the cellar of the Franciscan monastery in Ljubljana, and a renovation of the Villa Ventrelli Complex, a project made in cooperation with Robert Potokar from Ravnikar-Potokar Architecture Bureau and Ana Kučan from Studio AKKA. In 2010 Arrea designed the first low-energy wooden youth hostel in Slovenia, called "Punkl" and managed by the Youth Cultural Centre in the Municipality of Ravne na Koroškem.

Of their more recent interventions one might mention the Vetrinj Mansion, the Švicarija Art Centre and especially the much celebrated renovation of the Plečnik House. Given that [[::Category:Plečnik_heritage|Jože Plečnik]] (1872–1957) is considered to be – historically speaking – the most important Slovene architect and that his abode was in a way also his research polygon, this was both a prestigious and delicate enterprise. The subsequent awards convincingly prove the bureau was more than up to the task.

Obnova Plečnikove hiše / Renovation of Plečnik’s house by Zavod za varstvo kulturne dediščine Slovenije on YouTube

In 2016 the Architectural Gallery DESSA run an exhibition on the architecture of Maruša Zorec and her bureau.

Awards

In 2009 Arrea Architecture received the Plečnik Award for their take on the outdoor altar in Brezje, adjacent to the Basilica of Mary, Help of Christians.

In 2010 Maruša Zorec and Matjaž Bolčina received the Piranesi Award for the renovation of the Vetrinje Mansion (Naskov dvorec), where the seat of the Maribor, European Capital of Culture 2012 was stationed and which is now the Vetrinjski dvor cultural centre. In 2011 the Plečnik Medal was bestowed upon the authors of this same project.

In 2012 the Prešeren Foundation Award was granted to Maruša Zorec and her team for the project Grajska pristava, a subtle renovation of one of the buildings that comprise the Ormož Castle.

The 2015 Plečnik House renovation earned Arrea Architecture the Plečnik Medal 2016, the Piranesi Award 2016, and the nomination for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2017. The newly founded museum itself was also subject of various awards and prizes.

The renovated exterior of Švicarija Art Centre, a new residency and exhibition venue for visual arts reopened in 2017.

Background

As a professor at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Ljubljana, Maruša Zorec was for several years assistant to Vojteh Ravnikar, who influenced her way of working and perceiving architecture. Furthermore she admires the work of Slovene architects Edvard Ravnikar and Oton Jugovec.

See also

• Faculty of Architecture, University of Ljubljana
• Piran Days of Architecture
• Piranesi Award
• Plečnik Award

Some of the renovation projects

• Plečnik House
• Vetrinjski dvor
• Švicarija Art Centre
• Koroška Central Library
• Ormož Castle

External links

• Arrea Architecture website
• Profile at A10 architectural magazine
• Profile at Wonderland database
• An article detailing the renovation of the Plečnik House
• The Mies Van Der Rohe nomination page
• 2012 interview with Maruša Zorec (in Slovene)

Gallery

The Ormož Castle with its pristava (adjacent building) where the Ormož Music School, a new multipurpose hall, and the ethnological and archaeological museum collections are situated. The award-winning renovation was completed in 2011.

The renovated complex (designed by Arrea Architecture) of the two houses at Karunova Street with the Plečnik Collection in situ, a new permanent exhibition on Jože Plečnik and a study centre, 2015.

The renovated complex of the Plečnik House in 2015.

The entry porch was both a reception room and a lapidary. Renovated Plečnik House, 2015.

A courtyard of the Koroška Central Library at Ravne na Koroškem, conceived by Studio AKKA

The renovated exterior of Švicarija Art Centre, a new residency and exhibition venue for visual arts reopened in 2017.

The renovated interior of the Švicarija Art Centre, a former hotel from the early 20th century, renovation led by Arrea Architecture, 2017.

The Švicarija Art Centre, a former hotel located in Tivoli Park in Ljubljana, reopened its doors in 2017 as a new residency and exhibition venue for visual arts.

A detail of the inner courtyard of Vetrinjski dvor, as designed by the mansions renovators, the acclaimed bureau Arrea Architecture, 2013