faculty of energy technology UM

1st PRIZE AT AN OPEN PUBLIC COMPETITION

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location

KRŠKO, SLOVENIJA

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project year

2025

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client

UNIVERSITY OF MARIBOR

authors

ŽIGA KREŠEVIČ, univ.dipl.inž.arh.

UROŠ LOBNIK, univ.dipl.inž.arh. 

NEJC NOVAK, mag.inž.arh.

ANA LOVREC MEDVED, mag.inž.arh.

ELA VALENKO, dipl.inž.arh. (UN)

ROBERT POTOKAR, univ.dipl.inž.arh.

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vizualizacije:

MATEJ MEJAK - AR3DE​

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scope of work

COMPETITION ENTRY

The Annex of the Faculty of Energy Technology at the University of Maribor (UM) enhances and expands the range of activities of the university environment in Slovenia's key energy region. Architecturally and functionally, the building is designed to encourage cooperation between the university, key stakeholders in the energy sector, and the local community.

The architectural form is based on the interweaving of two spatial grids that determine the urban design of the area – the Vrbina business zone and the area of the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK). This interweaving creates the urban-architectural context of the new building at macro, mezzo, and micro levels, with the grids determining:

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•  the placement of existing and planned buildings;

•  existing and planned infrastructure;

•  land parceling and the functional organization of buildings;

•  the natural features of the location.

At the macro level, the interweaving of grids functionally and symbolically connects important institutions such as the Institute of Energy Technology, GEN Energija, and NEK, establishing synergy between the educational, research, and industrial sectors.

The architectural design intertwines functionality and aesthetic harmony with the existing building. It takes into account the natural characteristics of the location, urban planning guidelines of the business zone, spatial conditions, and the client’s programmatic requirements. The new building follows modern principles for the design of educational institutions and thoughtfully structures both interior and exterior spaces.