Jože Plečnik
Jože Plečnik (ⓘ) (23 January 1872 – 7 January 1957) was a Slovene architect who had a major impact on the modern architecture of Vienna, Prague and of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, most notably by designing the iconic Triple Bridge and the Slovene National and University Library building, as well as the embankments along the Ljubljanica River, the Ljubljana Central Market buildings, the Ljubljana cemetery, parks, plazas etc. His architectural imprint on Ljubljana has been compared to the impact Antoni Gaudí had on Barcelona.
Jože Plečnik | |
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Plečnik in 1943 | |
| Born | 23 January 1872 Ljubljana, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | 7 January 1957 (aged 84) Ljubljana, PR Slovenia, FPR Yugoslavia |
| Nationality | Slovene |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Buildings | Triple Bridge, Ljubljana, (1929–32) National and University Library (1930–41) Prague Castle (1920–34) |
| Projects | unrealized Slovene Acropolis (Cathedral of Freedom) (1947) |
His style is associated with the Vienna Secession style of architecture (a type of Art Nouveau), but he also has influences from the baroque tradition in Slovenia, as well as Byzantine and early eighteenth century Viennese architecture. Plečnik was one of the few notable modernists who did not entirely reject historic forms and ideas, instead paying what he believed to be a debt to history in his designs. Besides in Ljubljana, he worked in Vienna, Belgrade and on Prague Castle. He influenced the avant-garde Czech Cubism. He is also a founding member of the Ljubljana School of Architecture, joining it upon an invitation by Ivan Vurnik, another notable Ljubljana architect.