R5 Residential Building
Exploring new apartment block typology for modern lifestyle in the city center
The R5 residential building is designed as a landmark that identifies an important pedestrian connection between the historical center of Ljubljana and its northern neighborhoods, as well as the northern entrance to Ljubljana's central railway station. It was first proposed in the wining competition entry for the new Zupančičeva jama neighborhood, which intended to bridge the spatial gap cut into the urban fabric by the main railway corridor. This was achieved by extending the traditional urban typology of the mixed-use perimeter block over the railway lines to the north and upgrading it with semi-public green atriums and subterranean parking. The neighborhood being dense, but of moderate and uniform height, R5 building was supposed to stand out and become a visual point of reference for better orientation.
The building is composed of a large triangular prism and several smaller building masses that serve as its base. The unusual prismatic form gives the entire composition unique visual identity, but also enables good insolation of the surrounding area.
The large triangular sides, instead of being monochromatic, are structured by stripes of colorful panels, in order to give the facade complexity and not appear too overwhelming. From distance, the building's white western side resembles the mountain ranges in the distance or a white sail of a sailboat with its colorful markings, implying the closeness to both the Alps and the Mediterranean. The eastern side, looking towards the residential area, is of friendly orange-red color.
The possibilities of this unconventional building form are further explored in the design of the floor plans. Panoramic views of the city center and the Castle Hill, as well as large terraces that would normally only be available in a limited number of penthouse units are provided to all apartments at the sloping side of the building. Most of the other residential units are compact one-bedroom apartments for individuals and couples with modern urban lifestyles.
The ground floor of the building complements the public space with a small green piazza and an extension of an existing promenade. Small shops and sidewalk cafés exploit the sunny position and good view of the Castle Hill.
In addition, the residents enjoy the proximity of various retail stores, bars, restaurants and other services in the area, as well as good traffic connections and quick access to the city center.
