CLIENT: Ministry of Culture of Slovenia & Museum of Architecture and Design of Slovenia •
CHALLENGE: Securing UNESCO World Heritage nomination in the absence of comprehensive scientific documentation •
MY CONTRIBUTION: I developed efficient methodologies and led an interdisciplinary team that ultimately achieved a successful inscription
The Ministry of Culture of Slovenia and the Museum of Architecture and Design of Slovenia aimed to inscribe Jože Plečnik’s architectural works on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Renowned for his transformative approach to urban design, Plečnik prioritized public spaces that enhanced the quality of life for all residential communities. However, the lack of scientific literature on his work and the weak research methodologies used to evaluate his approach posed significant challenges.
I led an interdisciplinary team of experts, designing workflows and methodologies aligned with UNESCO guidelines while fostering stakeholder engagement. This included collaboration with ministries in Slovenia and the Czech Republic, building owners, municipalities, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Institute for Cultural Heritage. After three years of leadership, I continued contributing to the project as an advisor.
The nomination was successful, and in 2021, Jože Plečnik’s works were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Every member of the team, including myself, was honored with the Plečnik Medal, Slovenia’s highest award for outstanding contributions to architectural culture and its promotion.