Protocol estate Villa Podrožnik

Villa Podrožnik is a protocol residence of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. It was built by Ljubljana porcelain merchant Franc Kollmann, who also commissioned a separate building for the staff. The estate originally included a garden, a swimming pool, and a tennis court. Kollmann bequeathed the villa for charitable purposes—half of the building was designated for the blind and the other half for impoverished merchants. After World War II, the property was nationalized, and the existing villa, built in 1910, was renovated in 1947 for protocol use under the guidance of architect Vinko Glanz. It was during this renovation that the villa acquired its present appearance.

Between 2021 and 2022, the villa’s garden underwent renovation led by Studio AKKA. The project was rooted in respect for the existing spatial qualities—all majestic trees and historical garden elements, such as the rock garden and pond, were preserved. Inappropriate plantings and decaying vegetation were removed. The intervention also included the subtle reshaping of proportions between open areas and vegetative volumes, in order to establish a clearer spatial structure. The garden’s edges were newly planted to respond to altered growing conditions and the contemporary functional requirements of a protocol venue. The renovation opened up views towards surrounding landmarks, such as the church on Rožnik Hill and Mount Krim, which now enter the space as borrowed landscape. At the same time, a denser edge planting creates an intimate atmosphere, turning the garden into a microcosm.

The tour of the villa and garden will be led by architect Dr. Miloš Kosec and landscape architects Lara Gligić and Tomislav Krnač.