650 APARTMENTS - architeria.eu

650 APARTMENTS, LJUBLJANA
Photographs Tomaž Gregorič

2003-2006

The project won an invitation competition for developing four apartment blocks from 125 to 140 metres in length.
The client chose our proposal for economic reasons: we managed to provide more saleable surface on the
predefined urban set-up and a lower floor space index than all the other proposals.

The scheduled time for preparing plans and for resolving the building work was very tight: 650 apartments
in less than eighteen months, which meant more than one apartment a day. The budget was also extremely
limited: the aim was to build low-cost apartments and we had to bring the final production cost in at around
500 €/m2. To make planning and construction simple and to allow for the use of such prefabricated elements
as bathrooms, windows and facade panels the buildings were designed in module form. Each building is divided
into four identical modules, each with its own vertical communications core. There are 42 apartments in each
module, varying from small 30 m2 studios to 1.5-bedroom 60 m2 apartments on four identical floors, and larger
duplex apartments from 85 to 105 m2 on the top two floors. The module is repeated four times with slight
variations at the far ends of the building.

The facade is designed in two layers, the inner facade and outdoor space being formed by items such as
glazed loggias, balconies, terraces and verandas. The second skin is constructed with pre-formed wooden
panels, glass and metal rails. The structure of the apartments is such that each apartment gets at least one
balcony and loggia that connects outdoor and indoor space. Like the modules, the facade layer is also repeated
four times, but given the different geometry of the elements the repetition passes virtually unnoticed.

There are two parking levels beneath the site. The landscape provides a contrast to the geometrical facade
through the use of gently curving rails and other features. It breaks up the sightlines through the complex and
creates a difference between public and private space.

> Location Ljubljana, Slovenia
> Design Team Rok Oman, Špela Videčnik, Martina Lipicer, Nejc Batistič, Neža Oman, Marisa Baptista,
Karla Murovec, Neli Ouzounova, Florian Frey
> Project year 2003
> Construction years 2004-2006
> Structural engineering Elea IC d. o. o
> Mechanical & structural engineering Biro ES d. o. o.
> Electrical engineering Winky d.o.o
> Construction company Gradis Skupina G, d. d.
> Client Gradis Skupina G
> Surface area 47,400 m2 (housing); 42,000 m2 (underground parking); 400 m2 (commercial areas)
> Cost 52M €

Floors – 2 under ground levels (parking), 3 floors (apartments), 2 floors (duplex-penthouses)
Main structure – concrete wall structure
External finish – wooden precast panels and plaster
Site area – 15.000 m2