The URSIKS Educational Facility, conceived by architect Počivašek Petranovič, is part of the new and largest penitentiary complex in Ljubljana. This project was selected by architects through a public competition held in 2017 and is located in the Dobrunje area.
The educational center was strategically positioned along Litijska Road, giving it greater connection to the city compared to the prison itself, which is located immediately behind.
Due to the variation in programs on each level, a reinforced concrete structure was chosen, providing flexibility in floor design. Concrete pillars arranged around the building's perimeter are angled to increase stability, contributing to the unique appearance of the facade. Vertical movement is centralized in reinforced concrete cores located in the building's core.
The ground floor was designated for the entrance hall, classrooms, and the library. The first floor houses instruction rooms and changing rooms, while the second floor accommodates accommodation for correctional officers during training periods.
The main staircase, which connects all floors, receives natural light through a skylight. The approach to materials adheres to the principle of material authenticity and the transparent exposure of the structural system, both externally and internally. The visible structure constitutes the very face of the building.
To mitigate noise from the highway and adjacent road, the enclosures were executed with double glazing (double glass skin facade), thus ensuring high energy efficiency. The execution and assembly of the construction are also evident inside; the cores are made of exposed reinforced concrete, while internal partitions have cladding and upper glass strips. All building systems and lighting fixtures are hidden behind a double metal mesh ceiling.
Within this repetitive structural grid, the different functions of each floor are represented on the facade through varying heights of handrails and sills. An example of this is the raised sill protecting the training rooms on the first floor from external observation.