Mediation in architecture

Project proposes a revitalization of neglected part of Ljubljana city centre - Foerster garden - by establishing a multidisciplinary university environment. Three buildings with various spatial qualities are gathered around a public park. Together they stimulate new modes of creativity and knowledge frequentation for future generations.

First part of the master’s thesis is a theoretical discussion about mediation in architecture. Mediation confronts, connects and permeates present contexts in the space and with it creates new ones. It outlines the broader role of architecture which I understand as intertwining spatial, social, functional and temporal contexts into a complete entity. Quality architecture work is a dialogue of present contexts and only then can architecture transcend from purely functional to poetic.\nIn the second part I develop a conceptual design for a multidisciplinary university environment by Foerster garden as part of mediation between the city of Ljubljana and its university. The main idea is to create an open public space for knowledge exchange that is reacting to different layers of space, time and society, exposing the historical layers and merging them with the demands of a contemporary city.\nSince its establishment University of Ljubljana has been integrated into the city frame, but today (with the displacement of its subsidiaries to the edge of the city) the interconnection between the two is weakened.\nThe built substance consisting of three buildings with rich spatial qualities is organised around the public garden. Intervention transforms the area of Foerster garden from the neglected space into a flowing space for knowledge exchange. The proposal provides much needed spatial capacities where university students and staff, external organisations and general public could meet and work in order to trigger the progress of society.\nThe newly created public space is not limited by its program. It rather provides a flexible framework of rich spatial qualities that enables multiple activities for knowledge exchange.\nThe proposal addresses the future of learning environments by stimulating interdisciplinarity, which is an urgent action in order to be able to answer ever-more complex questions humanity is facing. It tries to stress that knowledge should not be an institutionalized asset, but a part of our culture and everyday life, something every one of us could - and should - have equally available.