How Three Pavilions Reshaping Koper’s Historic Square

In Koper's medieval centre, a thoughtful transformation has taken place, turning a previously overlooked space into a modern public square. This project goes beyond providing access to an underground garage—it carefully integrates contemporary design with the city's historical architecture. The three minimalist pavilions create a quiet dialogue between old and new, combining natural stone with modern materials. As light shifts throughout the day, the facades change in appearance, adding a dynamic element to the square. This design subtly reshapes how people interact with the space, blending the past with the present.

 

This image showcases a modern pavilion in Koper, Slovenia, featuring a facade clad in EQUITONE Tectiva panels in a light grey hue. The minimalistic design integrates clean lines and subtle textures that enhance the building's contemporary aesthetic. The structure’s sharp, angular form contrasts with the organic shapes of the surrounding landscape, while the choice of fiber cement panels ensures durability and a sleek, timeless look. In the background, the Adriatic Sea adds to the serene setting, creating a balance between the built environment and the natural landscape.

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The Historical Layers of Koper, Slovenia

 

Koper’s rich history stretches back over 2,000 years, with its origins as the Roman settlement of Capris. Over time, the city was shaped by various influences, including the Byzantine Empire, Lombards, and most notably, the Venetian Republic. Today, medieval walls, Venetian palaces, and the Romanesque-Gothic cathedral remain as significant reminders of this heritage. These historic structures play an important role in defining Koper’s character, providing a backdrop for modern developments. The new square builds on this historical context, aiming to respect the city’s past while creating a space that serves today’s urban needs.

 

These images depict the historic charm of Koper, Slovenia. Image A offers a scenic aerial view of the town’s red-roofed buildings and the iconic Koper Cathedral bell tower. Image B shows the picturesque waterfront with boats and the bell tower in the distance. Image C highlights a statue and the cathedral facade, while images D and E focus on the elegant, arched architecture of the Praetorian Palace. Image F captures a historic fountain on a narrow street, showcasing Koper’s blend of medieval structures and serene urban design.

 
The images showcase Koper’s historic town along the Adriatic Sea. A) An aerial view highlights the town’s red rooftops and Koper Cathedral’s bell tower, with the port in the background (by Marcin Jucha). B) A closer look at Tito Square, featuring Koper Cathedral and surrounding historical buildings (by MrPanyGoff, Wikimedia Commons). C) The Gothic arches of the well-preserved Loggia Palace (by MrPanyGoff, Wikimedia Commons). D) The historic Da Ponte Fountain (by John Samuel, Wikimedia Commons).
 

Building a Dialogue with Koper’s Landscape

 

The design of the pavilions draws from Koper’s natural and urban surroundings, reflecting the textures and colours of the region’s stone. The [tectiva] TE15, light-grey fibre cement panels blend with materials like grey sandstone and white limestone, creating a link between the old and new parts of the city. Beyond aesthetics, fibre cement was chosen for its durability and ability to withstand Koper’s Mediterranean climate, ensuring long-lasting, low-maintenance facades.

 

This modern pavilion in Koper, Slovenia, is clad in light grey Equitone Tectiva panels, giving it a sleek, minimalist look. The smooth facade blends with the landscaped space, featuring wooden seating and young trees. In the background, the historic bell tower contrasts with the pavilion’s modern design, creating a balance between old and new.

 

What sets this material choice apart is its subtlety. The muted tones allow the facades to respond to changing light throughout the day, creating a quiet interaction with the surroundings. Rather than standing out, the pavilions are designed to complement the historic context, enhancing the space without overpowering it. This approach shows how the right materials can balance modern design with respect for the city’s heritage, while also being practical and sustainable.

 

This contemporary pavilion in Koper, Slovenia, features a sleek design clad in EQUITONE Tectiva light grey fiber cement panels. The minimalist facade, characterized by clean lines and geometric patterns, integrates seamlessly with its surrounding landscape. The choice of material not only adds a refined aesthetic but also ensures durability and low maintenance, making it a practical solution for public spaces. Positioned within a thoughtfully designed urban environment, the pavilion enhances the area's modern architectural appeal while respecting the historical context of Koper.

 

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Bringing Movement to Minimalism

 

The pavilions’ facades go beyond simple flat surfaces, using subtle folds and angles that add depth to the design. These features respond to Koper’s sunlight, creating a shifting play of light and shadow throughout the day. More than just a visual detail, the folds introduce a quiet sense of movement, giving the minimalist forms a dynamic quality. This design choice balances simplicity with interaction, allowing the buildings to blend into their surroundings while still engaging with the environment. By integrating these elements thoughtfully, the pavilions complement the historic setting without overwhelming it.

 

This image shows a close-up of an exterior facade clad with EQUITONE panels in a light grey tone. The panels are sleek and precise, with clean, sharp lines and subtle texture, highlighting the minimalist design. The joints between the panels create geometric patterns, enhancing the modern aesthetic. The light grey color contrasts beautifully with the clear blue sky, showcasing the smooth, refined look of EQUITONE's high-quality fiber cement material.

 

This contemporary pavilion in Koper, Slovenia, features a sleek design clad in EQUITONE Tectiva light grey fiber cement panels. The minimalist facade, characterized by clean lines and geometric patterns, integrates seamlessly with its surrounding landscape. The choice of material not only adds a refined aesthetic but also ensures durability and low maintenance, making it a practical solution for public spaces. Positioned within a thoughtfully designed urban environment, the pavilion enhances the area's modern architectural appeal while respecting the historical context of Koper.

 

Engineering Precision in Crafting an Elevated Facade

 

The folded design of the pavilions required a custom fixing system to ensure the fibre cement panels were securely mounted while achieving the desired depth and angles. This technical solution, while subtle, highlights the attention to detail that went into the project. Engineering wasn’t just about overcoming a structural challenge—it was vital to creating a facade that dynamically interacts with light. As the sun shifts, the folds change the buildings' perceptions, offering fresh perspectives depending on the viewer’s angle and time of day. This understated approach ensures the pavilions enhance the square, striking a balance between modernity and subtlety.

 

This image showcases a modern building clad in EQUITONE Tectiva panels, with a light grey, textured finish. The clean lines and geometric patterns of the facade create a sleek and minimalist look. In the foreground, a wooden slatted bench complements the building’s contemporary design, while the surrounding courtyard features minimal landscaping and smooth stone paving. A person walks through the open space, which blends modern architecture with the charm of nearby traditional buildings. The overall scene reflects a calm and balanced urban environment.

 

This image showcases a modern building clad in EQUITONE Tectiva panels, with a light grey, textured finish. The clean lines and geometric patterns of the facade create a sleek and minimalist look. In the foreground, a wooden slatted bench complements the building’s contemporary design, while the surrounding courtyard features minimal landscaping and smooth stone paving. A person walks through the open space, which blends modern architecture with the charm of nearby traditional buildings. The overall scene reflects a calm and balanced urban environment.

 

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Redefining Koper’s Public Space

 

The pavilions in Koper do more than provide access to an underground garage—they introduce a modern design that respects the city’s historic setting. Marasovic Arhitekti has blended contemporary elements with the medieval context, creating a square where architecture, landscape, and daily life come together. With a careful balance of materials, textures, and light, the pavilions add a renewed sense of place, enhancing the public space without overwhelming its historic character. For residents and visitors, the square offers a fresh way to experience Koper, connecting its rich heritage with a modern touch.

 

This pavilion in Koper, Slovenia, features a sleek design, with its facade clad in EQUITONE Tectiva panels in a light grey tone. The building's geometric forms and minimalistic detailing seamlessly integrate with the surrounding plaza. The fiber cement panels add a modern yet subtle texture, complementing the natural and urban elements of the environment. The pavilion’s simplicity and clean lines offer a quiet contrast to the more vibrant, traditional buildings nearby, showcasing the balance between contemporary architecture and historical context.

 

This pavilion in Koper, Slovenia, showcases a modern design, clad in EQUITONE Tectiva panels in light grey. The clean lines and minimalistic facade emphasize the material's natural texture, creating a refined look that complements the surrounding environment. The structure is thoughtfully integrated with the landscape, with geometric patterns on the panels adding subtle visual interest. This project reflects a balance between contemporary design and functional use, enhancing the urban space while maintaining harmony with the natural setting nearby.