An Architect, Diplomat, Lady and Good Manners
The renovation of the former bank palace is not a mere building intervention, and required a “diplomatic” rather than architectural approach.
Photo: Virginia Vrecl
Photo: Uroš Lobnik
An old joke about the characteristics of a lady and a diplomat goes like this: If a lady says “no,” it really means “maybe,” and if she says “maybe,” it really means “yes,” but if she says “yes,” then she’s no lady at all. And if a diplomat says “yes,” this really means “maybe,” and if he says “maybe” this really means “no,” but if he says “no” then he’s no diplomat at all.
The renovation and revitalisation of the former palace of the Austrian and Hungarian Bank, originally designed by two renowned Maribor-based architects in the imperial period, Fritz Friedriger and Max Czeike, is not a mere building intervention. It required a “diplomatic” rather than architectural approach. The palace has seen four changes of public administration and underwent at least three functional metamorphoses. At the same time, different interventions and attempts to make use of the empty attic by enthusiastic builders caused even more damage than the ravages of time.
The complete article is published in Summer issue of Piranesi No. 38, Summer 2016, Vol. 24.
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Project Data
Architects and Furniture design
Janko J. Zadravec, Uroš Lobnik, Zadravec arhitekti d. o. o.
Project management
Janko J. Zadravec
Project Year
2012
Construction year
2016
Object area
2342 m²
Main contractor
VG5 d.o.o.
Structural Engineering
Line d. o. o., Peter Kristanič
Mechanical Services
Svepro d. o. o., Dejan Šimunič
Electrical Planning
Enerko d. o. o., Ivan Stepišnik
Fire safety
IVD, Aleš Robnik