Plečnik's Market: The Treasure of Hidden Details

The process of renovation and replacement of various types of roof tiles was described by the responsible conservator, Irena Vesel, as such, “After 76 years, the roof tiles had reached the end of their lifespan. The concrete tiles became brittle and worn out. Damage primarily showed cracks and fractures caused by natural processes such as freezing, thawing, and erosion, making the tiles thin and porous. We needed to create a schematic representation of all twenty-seven different types of roof tiles that showed their location in the floor plan, as well as a geometric survey of all the different tiles for their documentation and to begin the production of mouldings. We defined the technological process for manufacturing new tiles and created sample models based on a selected formula. We conducted laboratory tests on test series of all the different tile shapes to check their geometric accuracy, mechanical properties, and waterproofing.”

 The text, which is accompanied by a wealth of visual material, reveals the history of the building’s construction, the latest conservation interventions, and a remarkable collaboration between the architect and builders as the execution required the expertise of numerous skilled constructors and various artisans who were able to bring the architect’s vision to life. Individual exceptionally well-executed details continue to inspire admiration today, and this catalogue highlights these often-overlooked elements and their preservation challenges.