The Cultural and Pastoral Centre | borut simič

Contrast and yet Harmony between the Old and the New

 The contemporary architectural design of the Orthodox Centre, standing next to the Orthodox church and among the preserved trees, lives to the full potential of its reflexivity when the green colour of the glass panes merges with the green tree leaves, and when, in the autumn and winter months, the dark tree silhouettes are reflected on the glass surface

In 2006, an invited competihon was organized for the Orthodox Church Centre next to the Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Church in Ljubljana. Five teams were invited to take part in the competition,and the first prize was awarded to thedesign by Borut Simič and associates.

The jury recognised in the glass cube (Initially the design was only raised glass horizontal line In space) the quality that would not only have the Ieast impact on the exsiting spatial relationship, but would also upgrade them. One of the conditions of the competition was the minimum possible intervention in space which is why the majority of functions had to be located under the ground. During the continuation of the design process, it became necessary to accommodate the client's wish for additional facilities, and thus an extra floor had to be added. The architect solved this requirement by adding a glass cube over the existing horizontal glass line.

The upper floor is shifted, thus creating a dynamic, while it the same time serving as projecting roof over the entrance.In an attempt to answer the question to why the building is made of glass, one can see a number of basic reasons. The first ls that the building is rendered transparent, and acts as a glazed pavilion amongst the existing greenery.The second reason is that it does not compete with the roughcast ornaments of the existing Orthodox church it Is merely different in its choice of materials.The third reason is that the building thus connects with the glazed extension to the neighbouring National Gallery, also completed from green glass. Lost but not least, the glass testifies to contemporary architecture that does not stand out from its surroundings but is sufficiently contemporary to remind visitors. as well as passers-by, that we are now in 21st century. In this respect, the investor – the Orthodox Church – deserves every commendation. Jure Potokar, Piranesi 31