Thinking in Wood: Exhibition of Contemporary Slovenian Timber Architecture in Klagenfurt
Contemporary architecture faces new demands: resilience, sustainability, spatial quality and aesthetic relevance. What role does wood play in meeting these demands? A timber façade may be little more than a surface treatment, while an exposed structure may create an image that does not, in itself, guarantee a responsible approach to space, nature or people. The decision to use wood becomes architecturally meaningful when its material and structural logic shape space, use, detailing and building culture.
We warmly invite you to the opening of the exhibition Thinking in Wood (Misliti v lesu) on Wednesday, 11 November, at 6 pm, at Architektur Haus Kärnten in Klagenfurt. The opening address will be delivered by Matjaž Juvančič, Acting Director-General of the Directorate for Wood Industry at the Ministry of the Economy, Labour and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia.
The exhibition Thinking in Wood presents 35 projects that demonstrate the expanding scope of contemporary Slovenian timber architecture, ranging from individual houses to public, cultural, multi-residential, industrial and infrastructure projects. It introduces the architectural culture of a neighbouring country, one that shares a geographical context, traditions and knowledge of wood with Austria, yet has developed its own architectural expression under different conditions. Rather than focusing solely on the material itself, the exhibition raises the question of when the decision to build with wood moves beyond a technical choice to become an architectural idea.
How can knowledge, architectural culture and contemporary timber construction technologies cross boundaries – between the two countries, across disciplines, and between tradition and innovation? These questions will be explored in the round-table discussion Wood without Borders, held as part of the exhibition opening.
The discussion will be moderated by architect Aleksander Ostan (Atelje Ostan Pavlin). Participants from Slovenia will include architects Maruša Zorec (Arrea arhitektura) and Špela Videčnik (OFIS arhitekti), master carpenter Domen Ovsenik (Mizarstvo Ovsenik), and Barbara Šubic, Director of M Sora Okenska arhitektura. Joining them from Austria will be Markus Lackner, a civil engineer and multiple award winner in timber construction, and architect Markus Klaura, Chair of the Board of Architektur Haus Kärnten and an expert in timber construction.
The exhibition opening will provide an opportunity to exchange professional perspectives and new ideas, and to strengthen connections between the Slovenian and Austrian architectural communities. We warmly invite you to join us!
The project was developed in co-production with Architektur Haus Kärnten.
The project is co-funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.
Exhibition Partners: Directorate for Wood Industry, Ministry of the Economy, Labour and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia; SPIRIT Slovenia, Public Agency; Kubus – Interier d.o.o.; M Sora d.d.; Mizarstvo Ovsenik, Domen Ovsenik s.p.; Mizarstvo Šterk d.o.o.; Rex Kralj
