Joe Plenik

Joe Plenik

Bust of Joe Plenik in front of the University of LjubljanaJoe Plenik, (January 23, 1872 - January 7, 1957) was a Slovene architect who practised in Vienna, Belgrade, Prague and Ljubljana.

BiographyPlenik was born in Ljubljana, (then in Austria-Hungary) , Slovenia. From 1894 to 1897 Plenik studied with noted Viennese architect and educator Otto Wagner and worked in Wagner's architecture office until 1900. While in Wagner's office Plenik was affiliated with the Viennese Secession, noted for its rejection of the decorative motifs of historic architecture in favor of a new, organic mode of ornament. From 1900 through 1910 Plenik practiced architecture in Vienna, completing projects such as the Langer House (1900) and the Zacherl apartment block (1903-1905). These early projects are characterized by rational organization and planning typical of Wagner's designs for apartments and infrastructure, and richly decorated surfaces featuring organic motifs typical of the Secession. Plenik's Church of the Holy Spirit (Vienna, 1910-1913) is remarkable for its innovative use of poured-in-place concrete as both structure and exterior surface, and also for its abstracted classical form language. Most radical is the church's crypt, with its slender concrete columns and angular, cubist capitals and bases.

Tromostovje, designed by Plenik. In the back, the Ljubljana Franciscan Church can be seen

In 1911 Plenik moved to Prague, where he taught at the college of arts and crafts. His teachings emphasized both classical architectural principles and folk-art traditions, and influenced a generation of architects who would help define the avant-garde Czech Cubist movement of the 1920s. In 1920 he began work on Prague Castle, a medieval structure that dominates the historic capital. The President at the time, Tom Masaryk, sought to renovate the facility and appointed Plenik chief architect. From 1920 until 1934 Plenik completed numerous projects at the castle, including renovation of numerous gardens and courtyards, the design and installation of monuments and sculptures, and the design of numerous new interior spaces, including the Plenik Hall completed in 1930, which features three levels of abstracted Doric colonnades.

Much of the work on Prague castle was completed while Plenik was in his hometown of Ljubljana, where he moved to teach at the fledgling University of Ljubljana in 1921, following the invitation of fellow architect Ivan Vurnik. Plenik would remain in Ljubljana until his death, and it is there that his influence as an architect is most noticeable. Working tirelessly throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Plenik transformed Ljubljana through works such as the Church of St. Francis; civic improvements including new bridges, waterfront, banks, and sluices along the Ljubljanica River; new market buildings, kiosks monuments, plazas, and parks; a new cemetery, ale; and major buildings such as the Vzajemna Insurance Company Offices and the monumental University Library.

The National and University Library in Ljubljana, 1930-1941

After World War II Plenik fell out of favor in the new Communist Yugoslavia, where his commitment to classical architecture and his devout Catholicism were viewed with skepticism. His teaching role at the university was gradually reduced and he received fewer commissions, although he did complete some smaller monuments, fountains and church renovations in the 1950s. Plenik died in 1957 and received an official state funeral in ale.

Plenik's work, which was characterized by iconic, classical forms used in surprising, often unconventional ways, was largely forgotten in the 1960s and 1970s. Renewed interest in Plenik's work developed in the 1980s and 1990s, as postmodernism led to a reconsideration of classical forms and motifs in architecture.

Major Projects(in chronological order)

Zacherl-Haus, located at Brandsttte 6, 1010 Vienna

People's Savings Bank, Celje Langer House. Vienna, (1900-1901)

Zacherl apartment block, Vienna, (1903-1905)

Church of the Holy Spirit, Vienna, (1908-1913) [1] Prague Castle (various projects). Prague, (1920-1934)

Prague Castle (Garden of Eden and first court), Prague, (1920-1926)

Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Prague, (1921-1932)

Beigrad Stadium, Ljubljana, (1923-1939)

Church of St. Francis of Assisi, ika, Ljubljana, (1925-1927)

Chamber of commerce, work and industry, Ljubljana, (1925-1927)

Church of St. Michael on the Marshes (Sveti Mihael na Barju), rna vas near Ljubljana, (1925-1939) [2] The Bank of Celje building, Celje, (1927-1930)

Roman-Catholic Church of St. Anthony of Padua (Crkva svetog Antuna/Antona) with a somewhat leaning[3] tower at Crveni Krst, Belgrade (1928-1932)

The Vzajemna zavarovalnica insurance company building, Ljubljana, (1928-1939)

"Tromostovje" or the Triple bridge, Ljubljana, (1929-1932) [4] National and University Library, Ljubljana, (1930-1941)

Cobblers Bridge (evljarski or, more accurately, utarski most), Ljubljana, (1931-1932)

"Peglezen", the "Flatiron" house, [Ljubljana, (1932-1934)

ale Cemetery, Ljubljana, (1937-1940)

The Fish Market, Ljubljana, (1939-1942)

The Ursuline gymnasium, Ljubljana, (1939-1940)

Slovene National Parliament, (Katedrala svobode) Ljubljana, (1947) (unrealized)

Krianke, Ljubljana, (1952-1956)