Revitalization of the Horticultural Garden Kranj BF

The projects are based on three distinct guiding ideas: preserving the original state with a focus on plants and biodiversity; organizing the garden with an emphasis on the architectural value of the pavilion; and a renovation that, with fewer restrictions and requirements, explores the possibility of a new interpretation of the garden. Despite the shared initial analyses, each group arrived at different conclusions through their approach and conceptual framework. However, all three projects converge on the recognition of the great significance of the Horticultural Garden as a heritage site deserving of attention and resources for its future care.

1. Students: Eva Wallner, Polona Lovšin, Tina Jaklič

Over time, both we and the spaces around us change. The pavilion and the garden of the Horticultural Society Kranj were once recognizable landmarks of the local community, but today their presence is fading. Yet their story remains woven into the landscape, ready to be revived—as a space that breathes the past through the present. The proposed garden design establishes an interplay between nature and culture in an open, accessible space for everyone, including people with limited mobility. It is a place for exploration, learning, encounters, and retreat. Diverse ambiences offer visitors opportunities for connection or solitude. The concept highlights the richness of various habitats (dry, moist, sunny, etc.), where plants are not merely decorative elements but carriers of ecological principles. The seasons are marked by color, scent, and texture, inviting a sensory experience of the space.

2. Students: Ana Kepic, Irma Klemenčič, Kaja Podgoršek, Monika Rudolf

Due to limited maintenance and partial neglect, the garden has in recent years not been recognized as a significant part of Kranj’s natural and cultural heritage, despite its remarkable species diversity within a relatively small area. The renovation is based on preserving the original plantings and removing those species that had no real function and disrupted the garden’s initial design. The work was informed by lists of existing vegetation and historical plantings, with the goal of re-evaluating and revitalizing the space. The condition analysis revealed several distinct habitat types that, although blurred due to insufficient care, still provide a foundation for a diverse garden ecosystem. Habitat conditions and species inventories served as a basis for decision-making on which plants to preserve. In introducing some new species, the criteria focused on selecting more native plants that would integrate naturally and not compete with the existing ones. The conceptual design envisions a space defined by rich species diversity and numerous varied corners.

3. Students: Vid Hudoklin, Špela Klemen, Kaja Pelko Pleteršek, Kristina Rupar

The renovation of the garden is based on re-establishing spatial clarity and emphasizing the pavilion as the central architectural element. A key intervention involves the removal of vegetation in the pavilion’s immediate surroundings, allowing for an open view and a stronger connection between the built structure and the garden. The pavilion’s surroundings will be arranged in a three-part composition, gradually shifting in function and planting design: the inner zone features stone paving and a reinforced grass surface to accommodate visitors, with a small reflective water element reintroduced to enhance visual openness; the middle zone consists of a flowering meadow, riparian planting, and a woodland edge, gradually introducing taller vegetation and emphasizing biodiversity; and the outer zone includes trees, shrubs, and woodland undergrowth, creating a more intimate, semi-shaded atmosphere that serves as a protective edge, offering visitors space for retreat and reflection.