Gorenjska Banka Škofja Loka

Situated in close proximity to the medieval core of Škofja Loka, one of Slovenia’s most picturesque historic towns, stands a notable example of Yugoslav modernism — a mixed-use complex completed in 1976. The project was designed by Projekt Atelier, part of the Ljubljana-based Zavod za urbanizem, one of the leading architectural institutions of its time. The authors conceived a modernist building with a pronounced, static-tectonic structure articulated through exposed concrete. The building, originally conceived as a bank branch, is part of a larger architectural ensemble comprising a hotel, retail units, and office spaces. In the decades following its construction, the interior of the bank branch underwent numerous alterations that gradually eroded its original spatial and material clarity. Layers of drywall systems and decorative claddings were added over the exposed concrete, and the open space became increasingly subdivided. As a result, the original spatial order was lost, and the robust structural logic of the building was obscured.

One of the central aims of the renovation was to rediscover and reinterpret the building’s original architectural language. By carefully removing the accumulated layers and incongruent interventions, the renovation revealed the primary concrete structure and liberated the space from visual and functional constraints. In order to maintain spatial openness and preserve the visibility of the building’s tectonic framework, we replaced the conventional partitioning typical of bank interiors with a system of freestanding capsules, arranged in a clear, rational order. These capsules house private, intimate consultation areas. Their interiors are warm and inviting—furnished and clad in solid oak, with lightweight curtains ensuring privacy. Integrated planters with lush greenery further enhance the atmosphere within each unit. The result is a contemporary, light-filled interior that re-centers the architectural identity of the building while offering a flexible and future-oriented spatial platform for the bank’s continued use. The project is not merely a physical refurbishment—it establishes a dialogue between historical context and contemporary spatial strategies, articulated through a subtle yet confident architectural gesture that bridges nearly five decades of transformation.