Boris Kraigher Square (now Ajdovščina) in Ljubljana

Boris Kraigher Square, today Ajdovščina Square, is one of the major urban and architectural interventions in the centre of Ljubljana from the second half of the 20th century. The design by Janez Lajovic and Majda Dobravec Lajovic originated from their first-prize competition entry of 1969–1970 for the area between present-day Slovenska, Čopova and Dalmatinova streets. The complex was conceived as a new mixed-use urban centre, bringing together different programmes and pedestrian routes within a compact urban structure.

An important element of the design was a diagonal pedestrian route running through the urban block and across the city’s main axis, alongside which a covered passage of steel, glass and plexiglass was planned. Above an extensive underground structure accommodating parking and other programmes, three buildings of up to nine storeys were envisaged. By separating pedestrian and vehicular traffic and combining retail, hospitality, office and other uses, the design sought to create a multi-level urban space.

The lengthy process of planning and construction substantially altered the original design. Through its various phases, the project was gradually adapted to technical, spatial and construction-related circumstances, and only part of the originally planned complex was ultimately built. Today’s Ajdovščina Square is, therefore, the result of several decades of planning and gradual development, combining Lajovic’s original urban concept with later interventions by different architects and investors.