Architecture that connects the building and the city
Vilharia, the largest and most modern office building in Ljubljana, has recently opened its doors. The project sets a new benchmark for premium office space in Slovenia, combining a superior working environment, advanced technologies, and a strong focus on the user experience. Key features of the building include modularity and sustainability. The emphasis on flexibility is reflected in the office floors, which feature a modular design that accommodates various organizational layouts and working styles. Vilharia is the first office building in Slovenia to achieve LEED Platinum certification. At the same time, it is part of a broader transformation of a significant area of the city, reshaping Ljubljana’s skyline near the main railway and bus stations. Developed on the site of a former gravel parking lot, the project has revitalized an underutilized, neglected area right next to the city’s main transport hub. Vilharia was designed by the internationally acclaimed architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen, with the local firm Elea iC collaborating on its execution. At the opening, we spoke with architect Mads Kaltoft from Schmidt Hammer Lassen.
What is the Schmidt Hammer Lassen firm—which operates across the globe—best known for?
Our starting point is a commitment to democratic architecture. The firm’s origins date back to 1986, when its three founders—Morten Schmidt, Bjarne Hammer, and John F. Lassen—established the practice in the Danish city of Aarhus. Our first major project to garner significant attention was the Katuaq Cultural Centre in Nuuk, Greenland. Shortly thereafter, we won a major competition—out of numerous participating firms—to design the extension of the Danish Royal Library. This marked a significant turning point in the firm’s development. It was a large-scale, high-profile project that went beyond a mere library expansion; it held much broader public and social significance. Today, our firm is recognized worldwide precisely for its designs of public buildings—particularly libraries—which is why we are frequently invited to participate in international competitions. Our libraries can be found all over the world, from Australia and Canada to China. When I speak of democratic architecture, I am referring to architecture that, through its design, enables people to meet, socialize, and perhaps even positively change their habits.
Precisely because you create projects all over the world, we are interested in how you adapt to local characteristics in your work. Was there anything else—beyond the specific location—that was important to you regarding the Vilharia project?
We view the Central European region in much broader terms; one could say that Europe is, in many respects, a unified space. We share many similar values, which is why our architectural approach focuses primarily on fostering interaction among people. We aim to connect the building we are designing with the street and the wider urban environment, and to give something back to the city through this new structure. It is all about connection. Our primary perspective in the design process is to create greater connectivity, thereby generating more opportunities for people to meet and interact.
How would you describe your collaboration with Corwin?
We are always looking for new business opportunities and participating in various competitions; in this instance, however, Corwin contacted us directly. They invited us to join two other architectural studios from Copenhagen in competing for the Vilharia project. Our collaboration with Corwin and the local team of consultants was open and highly collaborative, which was crucial to realizing the vision.
What principles were key to the design of Vilharia?
We operate on the principle that we must give something back to the space we are intervening in—creating added value that goes beyond the building’s mere functionality. It is important that the structure is not designed as an isolated unit, but rather as part of a broader urban fabric that actively shapes public space. Through thoughtful architectural interventions, we sought to blur the boundary between the building and the public realm, create new connections, and provide people with more opportunities to meet, interact, and linger. We thus view Vilharia as an integral part of the city—one that does not simply occupy a space but actively engages with it.
Will the underpass currently being built as part of the extensive works on the central section of the main railway station also play an important role in this regard?
Certainly. Vilharia is situated right next to Ljubljana’s main railway and bus stations; consequently, a pedestrian and cyclist connection—currently under construction—will link directly to the bicycle storage facility within Vilharia, which features showers and changing rooms alongside secure bike parking. Corwin has also provided shared-use bicycles, making sustainable mobility a practical part of daily life in the building. A new bus stop is also being built in the immediate vicinity. In this way, Vilharia will be even better connected to the historic city center and the wider urban area.
Will the green roof also be open to the public?
The roof will be semi-public and intended for the building’s occupants, whereas the ground floor will be fully public. This is where building users, locals, and passers-by will meet, bringing greater vitality and dynamism to the area. Currently, this part of the city is quite quiet: characterized by residential development on one side, while the flow of life is interrupted by the railway station on the other. With the design of Vilharia, we aimed to connect this space and breathe new life into it. For the building’s occupants, the 2,000 m² of green and active roof areas are particularly valuable, as they extend the work environment outdoors, offering additional space for work, meetings, recreation, relaxation, and informal socializing. Occupants will be able to sit in a green setting and enjoy views of the nearby green hills. Such a sense of connection with nature is especially valuable for an office building in the city center.
