Spaces of the State at Republic Square

One of the central themes in Edvard Ravnikar’s work was the planning of the city of Ljubljana. He had a deep understanding of its historical, economic, and urban development. As early as the first years after World War II, he was engaged with the idea of Ljubljana as the capital of Slovenia and its significance within a broader regional context. Among his earliest projects dealing with the city center was a study on the potential use of the Ursuline Convent’s Nuns’ Garden—a large, undeveloped plot in the heart of the city that presented a unique opportunity for urban development. The project for the Republic Square and the Cankar Hall area went through numerous spatial and socio-political transformations over the decades, from its initial concepts to its current form. The creation of this central space of the new state is also a story of the architect himself and his professional evolution.

Today, with the relocation of Nova Ljubljanska Banka from the TR2 tower, Republic Square is at a turning point—an opportunity for a new chapter. What are its potentials, and how could a contemporary state respond to the opportunity presented by the vacancy of one of the most recognizable buildings in the city—and arguably in the country? The story of Republic Square reminds us that it has always been a place where the changing spirit of the times and societal progress have been materially expressed.

Planning timeline:

1947 / Competition for the Presidium of the People’s Assembly – winning design by Edvard Ravnikar
1958 / Competition for a zoning plan around the People’s Assembly – winning design by Edvard Ravnikar
1960 / Urban planning competition for the new Republic Square area – winning design by Edvard Ravnikar
1960–1965 / Development and planning of Republic Square and its associated buildings, redesigns during construction halts
1976–1978 / Planning of Cankar Hall