Modern white building with a sloped roof, featuring a circular entrance overhang, staircase, and young trees.

A modern building with a simple, white facade and a sloped roof. The entrance features a circular overhang and a staircase with metal railings. There are young trees planted nearby, and the word 'DRAMA' is visible on the side of the building.

Story

A transformative cultural hub in Ljubljana

The Temporary Spaces for the Slovenian National Theatre Drama in Ljubljana is a striking example of adaptive reuse, breathing new life into a former industrial site from the 1960s. Designed by Vidic Grohar Arhitekti, this project transforms an uninviting area into a vibrant cultural destination, effectively expanding the city center and promoting social inclusivity.

The project unfolds in phases, starting with the creation of a multipurpose hall in 2022 and culminating in a temporary home for the theatre in 2024. Spanning 4000 m², the design employs recycled and reusable materials, such as textile curtains and CLT wood, to minimize waste and carbon footprint. The architecture balances temporary and permanent interventions, using durable materials like visible concrete and clay blocks painted with a reflective silver finish.

The first phase introduced a 'thick wall' backstage and a 'zigurat' entrance, transforming a former car park into a multi-purpose hall. The second phase added a temporary theatre tribune with 361 seats, articulating the space into a sequence of engaging areas, including the main foyer and Grand Theatre Hall.

  • Adaptive reuse of a 1960s industrial hall

  • Phased transformation into a cultural hub

  • Use of recycled and reusable materials

  • Combination of temporary and permanent architectural elements

  • Silver-painted bricks for visual and thermal properties

Detail Description
Architect Vidic Grohar Arhitekti
Location Ljubljana, Slovenia
Year of Completion 2024
Area 4000 m²
Client L56 d.o.o.

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • wall finish: Visible concrete and visible clay blocks painted with silver color.
  • wall finish: Silver reflective paint on bricks.

Materials

  • CLT wood — Temporary theatre tribune and other wooden interventions.
  • textile curtains — Used for temporary interventions.
  • visible brick — Used for the 'thick wall' and entrance building.

Construction / Systems

  • temporary interventions: Made of recycled and new reusable materials for quick assembly and easy dismantling.
  • permanent interventions: Constructed with durable materials like visible concrete and clay blocks.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: silver, red
  • Lighting: circular lighting fixtures and pendant lights

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