Slovenj Gradec is one of Slovenia’s oldest cities, with a Main Square rich in history and cultural heritage. As the city’s central hub, it retains its medieval urban fabric, surrounded by bourgeois facades and architecture. Its value lies in the harmony between preserved historical structure and adaptable architecture (Fister, 1991). The square serves as a cultural stage for art, events, and celebrations, strengthening community identity and fostering creativity.
For decades, the Main Square has functioned as a “sculpture park,” an integral part of local identity and urban aesthetics. The competition project builds on this tradition, placing sculptures at key intersections, small squares, and vistas, enriching the city’s “gallery street” and cultural scene. The proposed arrangement merges art, nature, and the environment into a vision of an open society. The design focuses on cultural engagement, economic vitality, and sustainable urbanism. Pavement patterns and open spaces organize the area into three squares, while the plan promotes green, healthy living—reducing traffic and emissions by encouraging walking, cycling, public transport, and electric mobility. New paving and planting enhance the historic city center, aligning with the “green city” concept.
