a religious crossroad in a historic slovenian village by enota

this project by enota is located in skorba, a small village near ptuj, slovenia’s oldest town. the village’s proximity to the growing city has transformed it into a commuter suburb, but never gave it time to be fully organized by urban planning efforts, resulting in a rise in residential, but not public buildings in the little suburb. consequently, the organic growth of this heterogeneous development orbiting the access road is without a clearly legible village center.

all images by miran kambič

enota, when commissioned to erect a village chapel, used the brief as an opportunity to create a much needed urban center as a crossroads where neighbors can interact. the site was carefully chosen at the spot that once housed the village stream source — this being chosen for historical and logistical purposes. the village center is sited close to the community building, at the crossroads of the main streets — the perfect location.

the project was driven by the community itself, which was excited to see the project’s completion. according to the architect the community members, ‘took an active part in raising the funds to purchase the plot as well as in the construction, which required many hours of voluntary work by the villagers.’ the community’s desires and interests were therefore a driving force when drafting the project. the design is practical, and it aims to establish an appropriate relationship with its surroundings. a sufficiently bold appearance is created by using a volumetric design and simple materiality.

the result is this skorba village center. from this triangular plot arose this plan of rising sharp planes, with the paved surface clearly separate from the grassy surroundings. it defines the future socializing space. the designers mentioned that, ‘the new village square is the truncation of the raised volumes by means of a uniform plane which creates an impression of a virtual roof and completes the structure’s form.’ every structure is brought together by the uniform material — white concrete — to create a space that is both spiritual and social. 

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project info:

name: skorba village center
type: commission
year: 2011
status: completed 2017
size: 300 sqm
gross floor area: 300 sqm
site: 1,430 sqm
footprint: 300 sqm
cost: €120,000
client: hajdina municipality
location: skorba, slovenia
architecture: ENOTA
project team: dean lah, milan tomac, nebojša vertovšek, alja černe mazalin, nuša završnik šilec, tjaž bauer, polona ruparčič
collaborators: elea iC (structural engineering)
photography: miran kambič