What happens when an architect foregoes the glass box and disregards sci-fi geometry? One result is the interpretation and manifestation of organicism such as that by Ljubljana, Slovenia-based OFIS ARHITEKTI.
Aesthetically appealing organicism is hard enough in architecture today, and usually results in something absolutely hideous. Add to that the challenge of favorably placing a mixed-use seven-storey building contextually into a historical district. For OFIS ARHITEKTI’s recently unveiled plans, however, the anticipation of the firm’s successfully rising to the challenge with its contextually and organically sensitive response is almost palpable. One might hypothesize even now while the building’s under construction before its slated 2012 completion date, that the Copova Devetka will bare an esoteric sense of place.
Consider the future building’s curvilinear facades, its method of gracefully transporting the public through various topographic levels, its modest height, and its inclusion of a spectrum of private and public spaces. Amorphous bands of glass, metal, and greenery will wrap around the seven-storey edifice like garland around a tree, silver bracelets around a wrist, glass rings around a carnival bottle. They aren’t merely pretty little elements thrust upon otherwise thoughtless, dreary architecture, no.

‘The terraces are created by curving back each (storey) in an organic fashion to create patios and decks for shoppers, a cafe, and residential patios on the top levels. The organic mesh wraps the edges of each level,’ publicity materials document. The soothing visual effect will mitigate the temporal contrast of the architecture with its surrounding historical context, as will the gently sloping ground that gives the appearance of two underground levels from one perspective, and one underground storey from another.
The proliferation of windows throughout the building will help prevent a visual frisson between the brick and mortar town and its new glass and steel cousin. Furthermore, patios studding the terraces will offer multiple views of the historic distinct, including the Ljubljana Castle. First mentions of the castle ostensibly date back to the early twelfth century, and in the late 1990s renovations spanning three decades had been completed in such a sophisticated manner that it became a popular staging place for weddings and other high-culture events.
‘Even if it is a large scale building we tried to integrate it into small scale historical site. The building is between a pedestrian street and a park that are on different levels. Looking from the park, there is one storey under ground, and looking from the street, two,’ says Andrej Gregorič, project designer. Take for instance, the public passage that perforates the building and extends from one to another topographic level.
‘Mesh wraps the edges of each level, softening its appearance and adding greenery to the building,’ says Gregorič. ‘The fall/winter appearance is covered in silver and sometimes covered in snow. On the other hand, the spring/summer appearance is green and sometimes it flowers.’
The Terraces will rise 24 meters above ground and be divided into seven stories. Boutique shopping and cafes will occupy the bottom four storeys among 5,474 square meters, with residences comprising the remaining 3,222 square meters among three storeys. A public passage will run through the building, traversing the sloping street-level surroundings. Parking will be available in a nearby building, which is common for this historical site in an effort to promote land conservation and encourage pedestrian activity, according to Gregorič.
Guests can take an espresso at the al fresco cafe at lower and largest terrace plateau. This is an excellent space for observing the community yet feel somewhat removed from it. OFIS achieved this by tactfully design the architecture for subtle yet highly effective multiple functions. For instance, terrace waves forming floors above offer a seemingly undulating rooftop that morphs among each seat in the café. Such a semi-private, almost cat-perch-like space in an urban setting is rare yet always desirable.
Another tremendous vantage point comes via the residences on the top three floors. Part of these luxury apartments will be located in the existing atrium of the historic district, according to Gregorič.
‘There is an existing atrium with historical stone arcades that will get a glazed roof. Some of the apartments will be facing this atrium on one side,’ he says.
By carefully articulating a building’s language around its sensitive neighbors and by materializing it as an amplification of green space the Copova Devetka will likely make a timeless addition to the city. By working copesetically with topography rather than bulldozing through it and by mixing not only uses but also privacy levels more completely, OFIS ARHITEKTI’s design illustrates that good architecture rises superior to the current global trend of chasing superlatives.

See more of my published architectural writing and my other blog in Hong Kong’s Perspective magazine.