National and University Library, LjubljanaThe Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, where architect Plecnik spent the latterart of his life, is the backdrop for some of his most ambitious schemes. Ofhese, the most monumental is the National and University Library, whichngeniously combines topographical features and cultural symbolism. Typicallecnik features include the long colonnade in dark stone on either side ofhe central staircase which leads to a reading room that fills the entireidth of one wing of the building. Contrasted with this is the powerful,xpressive street elevation which only partly relates to activities insidehe building. This facade was designed to replace one of Ljubljana's mostandsome early Baroque palaces and is representative of Plecnik's mostccentric mannerist style.;The author explores the building and itsistorical context, providing an account of the construction of the librarynd of Plecnik's urban designs for the city of Ljubljana, redeveloped in thenterwar years. The photographs of the library are complemented by furthermages of key Plecnik works and drawings are provided by Slovenian architect |
Common terms and phrases
aligned architect Architecture in Detail axis balcony Baldassare Peruzzi balustrade baroque blocks building casements central Ljubljana central staircase centre ceremonial Charles Rennie Mackintosh colonnade columns Complexity and Contradiction concrete Congress Square corner cornice corridor courtyard cultural decorative doorway east facade Emona ensemble entry Exhibition Room door Federico Zuccari floor Frank Furness Frank Gehry Frank Lloyd Wright French Revolution Square front door gas pipe Gosposka Street grilles ground head door handle House hypostyle Illyrian Monument inner interior Jože Jože Plečnik Krizanke landing Library's light Louis I Kahn main staircase undercroft Mannerist Mark Fiennes Michael Graves modernist Moses National and University Nicholas Grimshaw Novi Trg Old Town outer Palazzo pavement level Plečnik's design portal Reading Room windows Renaissance rising rusticated seen Shoemaker's Bridge side Slovene Slovenian south wing space spiritual stairs stairwell stone storeys symbolic terrazzo Triple Bridge Trnvo Church Turjaška Street University Library Ljubljana urban Vegova Street vertical Wienerschule