Entrance complex for the Ljubljana biopark
Status: Competition entry
Location: Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Year: 2026
Project Team: Gabriele Corbo, Jacopo Costanzo
Collaborators: Gilles Desmedt, Davide Gallo, Dominik Pavličević, Ersilia Ramazza, Nina Senih, Freja Rem Sparwath
Landscape: Susan Isawi
Renders: Replica Studio

The entrance complex of the Ljubljana biopark is conceived as a multifunctional facility that, in addition to providing safe and efficient access to the biopark, serves as a prominent landmark within the urban pattern. Its location at the intersection of the heavily trafficked Večna pot and its proximity to several university faculties required the new structure to be adaptable to a diverse range of users, multifunctional in its programmatic organization and defined by a clear architectural design. The project responds to these conditions by creating an accessible and recognizable gateway, capable of accommodating different flows of visitors while establishing a strong and coherent presence within its urban context.

The new building is located along the south-eastern edge of the biopark, on the site of the existing entrance. The current fragmentation of the entrance facilities, with each building accommodating a separate function, does not provide the level of order and clarity appropriate for the entrance complex of one of Ljubljana’s most recognizable public institutions. During the design process, the principal access routes to the site were identified and integrated into the project strategy. For cyclists, a dedicated elevated cycle path, separated from vehicular traffic, is planned on the southern side of the site. This route serves as the primary point of arrival for visitors coming from the city centre, while also connecting to the existing pedestrian crossing. Pedestrian access is supported by two bus stops located on either side of the road connecting the city centre with the biopark. For visitors arriving from outside the city, a new multi-storey parking facility is planned and will be connected to the entrance complex by a pedestrian bridge. Additional parking facilities and dedicated access points are provided from the multimodal transit area to the south, ensuring convenient arrival for more vulnerable user groups, including school groups and cyclists. The project organizes these various modes of access into a coherent and legible arrival sequence, enhancing both the functionality and the identity of the biopark’s main entrance.

The “living” fence is designed as a series of vertical elements made of galvanized steel S235 with a circular cross-section, spaced 5 centimeters apart. The vertical elements have a diameter of 5 centimeters, while vertical steel elements with a diameter of 20 centimeters are installed every 5.65 meters, resting on a foundation beam. The foundation and steel elements are connected with steel plates and bolts. The total height of the element is 3.7 meters (3 + 0.7 meters inclined at an angle of 45 degrees). At the bottom of the fence there is an opening measuring 50 x 20 cm, intended for the unhindered passage of amphibians during the migration season. With its simple but convincing design, it achieves all the protective perimeters, while allowing for deformations in its design, which become points of interest along the fence. Points where the fence can exceed its function are identified at the extensions of the green area, at the first service entrance, parts of the fence closer to the entrance complex and at the end of the fence, right at the connection to the sidewalk to the path to Rožnik. At these points, the fence is ransformed into a place for rest; by using a bench and table, or an educational corner, by installing a ‘‘bee hotel’’ or a birdhouse. By installing natural materials that promote biodiversity near the fence, the transparency of the new construction is increased.