Though I'm not really a fan of roses ;) Logo, signs, schematic map and brochure for a series of small rose gardens in and around the town of Postojna (also made the concept and greening plan for five of these).

The theme of my graduation thesis were the Potentials for the landscape design of breakwaters on the Slovenian coast (graduated in December 2010). I tried to offer some additional usage to these rather overlooked structures near/on the sea. On the link above you can find the whole thesis, and below is a short abstract. 

Breakwaters as coast-protection structures are one of the components of all littoral environments. Besides their main (protective) function, breakwaters are usually designed to allow berthing and mooring of vessels. Breakwaters with rock rubbles are part of the typical view of the Slovenian coast. The interaction between the sea and the shore results in an interesting and intense experience. Consequently, the offshore areas are attractive to use. From this point of view the breakwaters on the Slovenian coast are not so well utilized as they could be. With (re)organisation and (re)design of some of the breakwaters, it would be possible to obtain or establish well-functioning and attractive coastal areas. The review of breakwaters on the Slovenian coast is made on the bases of different criteria, the most important of which are: accessability, usage and additional activities, integration into the surrounding area, additional urban equipment and maintenance. Considering these parameters the breakwaters are divided into three groups, according to the extensiveness of intervention. The brakwaters in the first group are left as they are, as they function well and have an adequate urban equipment. The second group represents the breakwaters that need just some smaller interventions (greening/planting, new urban equipment, improvement of the access to the sea). The third group consists of three breakwaters, that are completely renewed, and also have a new program. The breakwater in Portorož is converted into a multipurpose event place, the breakwater in Izola is used as a new beach, while the complete surface of the new breakwater in Koper is intended to be occupied by a marine park.

Portorož - event venue

Izola - beach

Koper - marine park

The stone sculpture near the main road in Črni Kal was build in 1966 as a dedication and remembrance of the victims of the occupation during World War II in this area. The author, Slovenian architect Edo Mihevc, described it as a representation of three sterns of Istrian boats and a "window" to the Slovenian sea.

The entire site is a little unmantained and in a need of a refreshment. On the request of the Veterans Associations of Koper we made a concept for revitalisation of the area (but unfortunately it stopped there and were not made further, detailed projects - for now).

Anyway, the idea was to clean the area, to emphasize the qualities of the location and to make it a pleasant spot for a pause on your way to the Coast. On the other hand, we cannot forget this is a memorial park, and therefore a quiet and calm place.

Existent vegetation represents a nice frame for the sculpture: cypresses as tall dark landmarks and cedars as a lighter green bacground. The trees also provide a pleasant shade for eventual benches and walking paths. At both entrances there could be installed some information boards for visitors.

Selection of new plants for the memorial park is based on idigenous species. Red could be used as a symbolic colour throughout the year: shrub blossoms in spring, meadow flowers in summer, interesting foliage in autumn, and distinctive bark in winter.