Layer House

The renovation of a former residence of the Slovene painter Leopold Layer (1752–1828) in Kranj has resulted in the development of a significant cultural venue known today as Layer House. The coffee house located in the atrium with a garden offers a delightful venue for concerts, literary or theatre events. Layer House also includes a small museum dedicated to the glass photo inventor Janez Puhar), artists studios, and residences. Layer House has become a junction of cultural happening in Kranj, hosting social, creative, concert, literary, theatre, and educational events.

Organisational structure

Situated near the Khislstein Castle in Kranj, Layer House's 18th-century architecture is characterised by classicism and baroque. The building's recent transformation into a multi-purpose art area with a cafe, a museum with several permanent exhibitions, and residences designed primarily for visiting artists that can also be rented by other visitors.

Museum

The first-floor museum is divided into three parts, with one room exhibiting walls with restored nineteenth-century frescoes, another showcasing an impressive collection of works by Leopold Layer himself, while the third is devoted to the life and work of Janez Puhar, who was a pioneer of early photography and is credited with inventing a novel method of capturing images on glass in 1841. There is also a small gift shop with unique souvenirs and additional space for various activities.

Residences

Layer House residences were initially conceived with the intention to host artists included in the "Artist-In-Residence" programme, but these spaces are also available to tourists wishing to experience an authentic stay in the old part of the city of Kranj. The house offers this unique stay to business travellers, couples, friends and families who aim for a warm atmosphere and enjoy being surrounded by arts and culture.

Banquets

Layer House is available for rental, its ambient is especially appropriate for any type of banquet (business conventions, anniversaries, birthday celebrations, New Year's gatherings, weddings and other private functions). The house can accommodate smaller parties (20 people or less) or larger assemblies (120 people). In the summertime, a garden with two terraces provides an enjoyable atmosphere for outdoor events.

Cultural programme and activities

Živa ulica

Živa ulica (Slovenian for "lively street") was a string of events, workshops, exhibitions and many other activities organised in June 2014 by Layer House on Tomšičeva ulica where the house is situated. These events aspired to liven up the neighbourhood by inviting nearby residents, shop-owners, artists, and visitors to participate in co-creating a lively and energetic atmosphere.

Dvocikel

Dvocikel (Slovenian for "bicycle") is a progamme organised by Layer House and Moonlee Records. This innovative concert experience features various 12 music acts or groups that participate in pairs in a Layer House musical residency. Each Dvocikel concert event represents the results of the residency and is headlined by the two acts on two locations (one venue is usually in Kranj and the other one in Ljubljana). In this way, Dvocikel aims to explore the possibilities of live concert set-ups, to provide unique concert experiences, and to support artists by granting them both creative space and an opportunity to connect through divers musical expressions and genres.

External links

Layer House website (in Slovenian)
Janez Puhar website