Gorenjski
sejem fair
The Sava river flows below Kranj, a town on a rock. Here, the river that was untamed in the past encountered human intervention, as an artificial Sava Island was created to meet the water flow needs of the castle mill.
In the 16th century, the island belonged to Baron Khisel, and the famous mill was already standing on the island at that time. At the end of the 19th century, the island was bought by the progressive Majdič family. After renovation, the Majdič mill became one of the largest in Austria and a beautiful park was created on the island, the Majdič Log. The Majdič family also built one of the first hydroelectric power stations in Slovenia along the Sava River, and it was in the mill that the first light in Kranj was switched on in 1893, thus greatly accelerating the development of industry.
Due to its location at the crossroads of trade routes, Kranj became a rich trade fair centre at the end of the 15th century, when Emperor Frederick II granted the townspeople of Kranj the right to hold fairs. In 1933, the first craft exhibition was organised in Majdič's mill. It developed and reached its peak after World War II with the establishment of the Gorenjski sejem company.
Exactly 500 years later, in 1993, the last, 43rd Gorenjski sejem fair was held on Sava Island, and in 2000, the town with the longest trade fair activity in Slovenia broke with this tradition.
Arhitektura: Edvard Ravnikar
Leto nastanka: 1960 – 1982
Architecture: Savin Sever
Year of construction: 1970 – 1971
Gorenjski sejem fair
The Sava river flows below Kranj, a town on a rock. Here, the river that was untamed in the
past encountered human intervention, as an artificial Sava Island was created to meet the water flow needs of the castle mill.
In the 16th century, the island belonged to Baron Khisel, and the famous mill was already
standing on the island at that time. At the end of the 19th century, the island was bought by the
progressive Majdič family. After renovation, the Majdič mill became one of the largest in Austria and a beautiful park was created on the island, the Majdič Log. The Majdič family also built one of the first hydroelectric power stations in Slovenia along the Sava River, and it was in the mill that the first light in Kranj was switched on in 1893, thus greatly accelerating the development of industry.
Due to its location at the crossroads of trade routes, Kranj became a rich trade fair centre at the end of the 15th century, when Emperor Frederick II granted the townspeople of Kranj the right to hold fairs. In 1933, the first craft exhibition was organised in Majdič's mill. It developed and reached its peak after World War II with the establishment of the Gorenjski sejem company.
Exactly 500 years later, in 1993, the last, 43rd Gorenjski sejem fair was held on Sava Island, and in 2000, the town with the longest trade fair activity in Slovenia broke with this tradition.
Architecture: Savin Sever
Year of construction: 1970 – 1971
Arhitektura: Savin Sever
Leto nastanka: 1962–1963
By the end of the 1960s, the fair had outgrown the size of the then "Kranj Fairground" in the Simon Jenk Primary School. The Gorenjski sejem company found a new location on the Sava Island, where various facilities were to be built, totalling more than 200,000 m2. At that time, this part of the town became the centre of social life, with more than 300 events and almost one million visitors a year. An indoor swimming pool, an ice rink, guesthouses and walking paths offered recreational areas for visitors.
By the end of the 1960s, the fair had outgrown the size of the then "Kranj Fairground" in the Simon Jenk Primary School. The Gorenjski sejem company found a new location on the Sava Island, where various facilities were to be built, totalling more than 200,000 m2. At that time, this part of the town became the centre of social life, with more than 300 events and almost one million visitors a year. An indoor swimming pool, an ice rink, guesthouses and walking paths offered recreational areas for visitors.
Gorenjski sejem Fair in 1976, photo: D. Holynski, Phototheque of the Gorenjska Museum
Crowd visiting the Gorenjski sejem Fair, Phototheque of the Gorenjska Museum
Annual Gorenjski sejem Fair on the Savski Otok, Phototheque of the Gorenjska Museum
View of the fairground of the Gorenjski sejem Fair, Phototheque of the Gorenjska Museum
The design of the new fairground was undertaken in 1968 by the country's largest architectural bureau at the time, Slovenija projekt, with architect Savin Sever as lead architect. The overall design was never executed, and the implementation of the facilities was not carried out as planned.
According to the original idea, the whole complex was to consist of four exhibition halls: in addition to Hall C (5100 m2), which was erected, three more halls were designed – Hall A (2300 m2), Hall B (7200 m2) and Hall D (2300 m2). The central symbolic element of the whole complex was to be a building – which was never built – connecting the two parts of the fairground above the main road. Transport links to the road at the western end of the island were planned, with particular emphasis on solving the problem of increased traffic during major fair events. The administrative offices of the fair, a tourist service, a currency exchange office and a garage were to be built. In addition, a 1200-seat restaurant was also planned on the model of the facilities encountered "along the European motorways" and "guaranteed permanent occupancy".* The extensive design of the complex dictated a phased construction process, with each phase to "function as a coherent whole in terms of form and function".**
* Savin Sever, Gorenjski sejem Kranj, Technical report on building modifications, 1970
** Savin Sever, Exhibition hall of Gorenjski sejem Fair in Kranj, Sinteza, št. 26–27, 1973, str. 81
Façade of the exhibition building Gorenjski sejem Fair, Savin Sever,
photo: Janez Kališnik, Museum of Architecture and Design collection
Model of the conceptual design of the Gorenjski sejem Fair, Savin Sever,
Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
The design of the new fairground was undertaken in 1968 by the country's largest architectural bureau at the time, Slovenija projekt, with architect Savin Sever as lead architect
The overall design was never executed, and the implementation of the facilities was not carried out as planned. According to the original idea, the whole complex was to consist of four exhibition halls: in addition to Hall C (5100 m2), which was erected, three more halls were designed – Hall A (2300 m2), Hall B (7200 m2) and Hall D (2300 m2). The central symbolic element of the whole complex was to be a building – which was never built – connecting the two parts of the fairground above the main road. Transport links to the road at the western end of the island were planned, with particular emphasis on solving the problem of increased traffic during major fair events. The administrative offices of the fair, a tourist service, a currency exchange office and a garage were to be built. In addition, a 1200-seat restaurant was also planned on the model of the facilities encountered "along the European motorways" and "guaranteed permanent occupancy".* The extensive design of the complex dictated a phased construction process, with each phase to "function as a coherent whole in terms of form and function".**
* Savin Sever, Gorenjski sejem Kranj, Technical report on building modifications, 1970
** Savin Sever, Exhibition hall of Gorenjski sejem Fair in Kranj, Sinteza, no. 26–27, 1973, p. 81
Façade of the exhibition building Gorenjski sejem Fair, Savin Sever, photo: Janez Kališnik, Museum of Architecture and Design collection
Model of the conceptual design of the Gorenjski sejem Fair, Savin Sever, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
"The ground-floor plan defines the entire structure and, most of all, the spatial concept, which should be carefully designed."
- Savin Sever and Bogo Zupančič, A Slovenian feels like a stranger in this town, 2001
"The ground-floor plan defines the entire structure and, most of all, the spatial concept, which should be carefully designed."
- Savin Sever and Bogo Zupančič, A Slovenian feels like a stranger in this town, 2001
It was the urban location with its strong recreational character that dictated the design of the fair. The green belt around the edges of the island was retained, the building's compact volume preserved more green space, and the removal of trees was particularly avoided.
The only building constructed, Hall C, was therefore just a part of the planned development.
For ease of transport, the fairgrounds were designed as a single-storey structure, with large spaces to allow for universal use.
Hall C – the only constructed object of the fairground,
photo: Janez Kališnik, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
View of Hall C from the north, Savin Sever, photo: Janez Kališnik,
Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
It was the urban location with its strong recreational character that dictated the design of the fair. The green belt around the edges of the island was retained, the building's compact volume preserved more green space, and the removal of trees was particularly avoided. The only building constructed, Hall C, was therefore just a part of the planned development.
For ease of transport, the fairgrounds were designed as a single-storey structure, with large spaces to allow for universal use.
Hall C – the only constructed object of the fairground, photo: Janez Kališnik, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
View of Hall C from the north, Savin Sever, photo: Janez Kališnik, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Visualisation of the planned whole, which was never realized, the completed part, Hall C is highlighted in color
Various archival footage of the Gorenjski Fair in Kranj: “TV dnevnik” – Gorenjski Fair opened in Kranj, 1973; TV News – A. Verbič opened the 23rd Gorenjski Fair, 1973; "Vaš tolar" (Your Tolar), 2000, all from the RTV Slovenia archive
The central motif of the exhibition building was a tall reinforced concrete column with hanging elements and (never realized) skylights (Plexiglas was to be used). These were innovatively designed original works, which is a characteristic of the post-war generation of Slovene architects, especially Edvard Ravnikar's students. The columns were placed at a distance of 16 × 16 metres. The primary beams with a 16-metre span and 4-metre cantilevered overhangs on both sides were concrete, while the secondary structure in the 16-metre span was made of prefabricated steel beams. The roof was flat, and the roof structure consisted of wooden panelling with waterproofing material and lower wooden panelling of particle board with thermal insulation.
The overall design created a quality open space in the interior. The layout and design of the columns allowed for unlimited expansion by adding elements in all directions and could be adapted for other programmes as well– in light industry, sports and exhibition facilities. The exhibition centre was characterised as highly economical, especially because it allowed rapid construction or assembly.
Interior of Hall C of the exhibition building of the Gorenjski sejem Fair, photo: Janez Kališnik, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
To the viewers from above, from the town centre, the tent-like skylights seemed like a symmetrical field of unusual elements. Here again, architect Sever used his characteristic multiplication of structural units, which in this case could be stacked horizontally in all directions. The whole is again defined by the accentuated raw concrete construction of the height-based elements. As in most of his buildings, Sever understood the roof as an important fifth façade. The evenly spaced elements emphasised the sense of orderly composition and coherence. Again, the design was functionally justified.
Photograph of the exterior of the exhibition building C of the Gorenjski sejem Fair, where the multiplication of structural units is clearly visible, Savin Sever, photo: Janez Kališnik, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
˝The external appearance is always the result of the structure.˝
- Savin Sever, Interview with Metka Dolenec Šoba, 2001
˝The external appearance is always the result of the structure.˝
- Savin Sever, Interview with Metka Dolenec Šoba, 2001
The roof was not built as planned and the author himself, at the technical inspection of the building in November 1972, warned those present that "the light domes, which would have improved the daylight conditions in the hall, and the concrete caps on the roof beams are missing. As the roof of the building is an exposed façade, it is essential that this should be done in order to ensure that the building has a suitable appearance".***
*** Savin Sever, Technical inspection of Hall C of Gorenjski sejem Fair, 1972
After the termination of the trade fair activities in Kranj, the building was dilapidated, and the surroundings neglected. The land was sold, the exhibition centre was demolished in autumn 2002 and replaced by a new shopping centre. Despite the flaws in its realisation and the lack of maintenance, the building represented an innovative design for a multi-purpose exhibition hall.
Gorenjski sejem fair according to Savin Sever's plans, during construction. 1970s., source: Kranj in old photographs
The roof was not built as planned and the author himself, at the technical inspection of the building in November 1972, warned those present that "the light domes, which would have improved the daylight conditions in the hall, and the concrete caps on the roof beams are missing. As the roof of the building is an exposed façade, it is essential that this should be done in order to ensure that the building has a suitable appearance".***
*** Savin Sever, Technical inspection of Hall C of Gorenjski sejem Fair, 1972
After the termination of the trade fair activities in Kranj, the building was dilapidated, and the surroundings neglected. The land was sold, the exhibition centre was demolished in autumn 2002 and replaced by a new shopping centre. Despite the flaws in its realisation and the lack of maintenance, the building represented an innovative design for a multi-purpose exhibition hall.
Gorenjski sejem fair according to Savin Sever's plans, during construction. 1970s., source: Kranj in old photographs
˝Innovation stems from a mental process which contains and has to contain certain information and knowledge of the experience of others. However, when solving a problem, one's own intuition and personal idea should prevail, and it should be founded on the specific evaluation of all elements making up this problem. ˝
- Savin Sever, Hommage à Edvard Ravnikar, 1995, str. 342
˝Innovation stems from a mental process which contains and has to contain certain information and knowledge of the experience of others. However, when solving a problem, one's own intuition and personal idea should prevail, and it should be founded on the specific evaluation of all elements making up this problem. ˝
- Savin Sever, Hommage à Edvard Ravnikar, 1995, p. 342
Text by Metka Dolenec Šoba
Translation: Jerca Kos
Sources and notes:
*Savin Sever, Gorenjski sejem Kranj, Tehnično poročilo za modifikacijo zazidave (Technical report on building modifications), 1970
** Savin Sever, Razstaviščna lopa Gorenjskega sejma v Kranju (Exhibition hall of Gorenjski sejem Fair in Kranj), Sinteza, no. 26–27, 1973, p. 81.
*** Savin Sever, Tehnični pregled objekta Hala C Gorenjskega sejma (Technical inspection of Hall C of Gorenjski sejem Fair), 1972
Figure 1: Gorenjski sejem Fair in Kranj, model of the complete situation of the Savski Otok (Sava Island), Savin Sever, photo: Janez Kališnik
Figure 2: Gorenjski sejem Fair in 1976, photo: D. Holynski, Phototheque of the Gorenjska Museum
Figure 3: Crowd visiting the Gorenjski sejem Fair, Phototheque of the Gorenjska Museum
Figure 4: Annual Gorenjski sejem Fair on the Savski Otok, Phototheque of the Gorenjska Museum
Figure 5: View of the fairground of the Gorenjski sejem Fair, Phototheque of the Gorenjska Museum
Figure 6: Façade of the exhibition building of the Gorenjski sejem Fair, Savin Sever, photo: Janez Kališnik, inv. no.: 534:LJU;0040645, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Figure 7: Model of the conceptual design of the Gorenjski sejem Fair, Savin Sever, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Figure 8: Model of the exhibition grounds of the Gorenjski sejem Fair in Kranj - situation, Savin Sever, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Figure 9: Main project - Plan of the situation of the 1st stage, Slovenija projekt, Savin Sever, December 1969, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Figure 10: Hall C – the only constructed object of the fairground according to Savin Sever's plans, photo: Janez Kališnik, inv. no. 534:LJU;0040647, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Figure 11: View of Hall C from the north, Savin Sever, photo: Janez Kališnik, inv. no. 534:LJU;004064, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Figure 12: Visualisation of the planned whole, which was never realized, the completed part, Hall C is highlighted in color
Video 13: Various archival footage of the Gorenjski Fair in Kranj: “TV dnevnik” – Gorenjski Fair opened in Kranj, 1973; TV News – A. Verbič opened the 23rd Gorenjski Fair, 1973; "Vaš tolar" (Your Tolar), 2000, all from the RTV Slovenia archive
Figure 14 – 16: The central motif of the exhibition building was a tall reinforced concrete pillar with suspension elements, Savin Sever, photo: Janez Kališnik, inv. no.
Image 15 -534:LJU;0040643;
Image 16-534:LJU;0040646, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Figure 17: Gorenjski sejem Fair, photo: Janez Kališnik, inv. no. 534:LJU;0040640, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Figure 18: Interior of Hall C of the exhibition building of the Gorenjski sejem Fair, photo: Janez Kališnik, inv. no. 534:LJU;0040639, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Figure 19: Photograph of the exterior of the exhibition building C of the Gorenjski sejem Fair, where the multiplication of structural units is clearly visible, Savin Sever, photo: Janez Kališnik, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Figure 20: Roof drain plan, Gorenjski sejem Fair, Slovenija projekt, Savin Sever, April 1970, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Figure 21: Gorenjski sejem fair according to Savin Sever's plans, during construction. 1970s., source: Kranj in old photographs
Figure 22: Section of Hall C of the exhibition building, Slovenija projekt, Savin Sever, January 1970, Museum of Architecture and Design Collection
Quote 1: »The ground-floor plan defines the entire structure and, most of all, the spatial concept, which should be carefully designed.« - Savin Sever and Bogo Zupančič, A Slovenian feels like a stranger in this town, 2001
Quote 2: »The external appearance is always the result of the structure.« - Savin Sever, Interview with Metka Dolenec Šoba, 2001
Quote 3: »Innovation stems from a mental process which contains and has to contain certain information and knowledge of the experience of others. However, when solving a problem, one's own intuition and personal idea should prevail, and it should be founded on the specific evaluation of all elements making up this problem.« - Savin Sever, Hommage à Edvard Ravnikar, 1995, p. 342
Bibliography:
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Bernik Stane, Nekateri problemi predstavitve in vrednotenja sodobne slovenske arhitekture, urbanizma in oblikovanja, Slovenska likovna umetnost 1945–1978, (Ljubljana, Moderna galerija, Arhitekturni muzej, 22. 3.–6. 5. 1979), Ljubljana 1979
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Pohlin, Uroš, Analisis of Fair Activity, bachelor’s thesis, University of Ljubljana, School of Economics and Business, 2008, http://www.cek.ef.uni-lj.si/u_diplome/pohlin3643.pdf
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Hommage à Edvard Ravnikar, 1995, p. 342
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Sever Savin, Technical inspection of Hall C of Gorenjski sejem Fair, 1972
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Sever Savin, Gorenjska Fair in Kranj, Technical report on building modifications, 1970
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Sever Savin, Exhibition hall of Gorenjski sejem Fair in Kranj, Sinteza, no. 26–27, 1973, p. 81.
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Sever Savin, interviews with the author, 2001