Slovenian Museum of Natural History

architects Aleš Vodopivec, Nena Gabrovec & Gašper Medvešek
project Slovenian Museum of Natural History
written by Aleš Vodopivec

 

The new building of the Natural History Museum will be built in the wider surroundings of the Biology Centre Park, between Večna pot (the Zoo), the Glinščica stream and the entrance building to the Botanical Gardens. On the south side, the building establishes a relation with the Biotechnology Faculty building. The soft curves of the north building line follow the edge of the forest.

 

The museum is divided into three levels. The lower level – because of the tendency to flooding – is placed upon the terrain and only partially embedded. It is set aside for technical spaces, laboratories, and storerooms. The main entrance, placed on an axis with the Biotechnology Faculty, is located one floor above. The central part of the mezzanine floor is occupied by the entrance hall with a mammoth displayed  in front of the large window that opens up towards the forest. The two-storey hall connects all the visitor spaces. Accompanying spaces for visitors are placed alongside the hall including those for the pedagogical program: two smaller classrooms and one large lecture hall. The inner museum spaces are located in the western wing (offices, laboratories, administration offices and library). The top floor is completely given over to exhibition halls.