Architecture as
the Art of Storytelling
Nande Korpnik combines innovation and functionality in his projects, which explore new building practices and create a dialogue between architecture and the environment in which they are created.
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About Us
KORPNIK PRODUKCIJA is a Slovenian architectural company, where we understand buildings as a narrative in space. We believe that architecture, in addition to functionality, must also have a strong narrative value, offering the user an aesthetic and intellectual surplus.
The design enables an interesting play of different views and and creates a unique architectural experience for visitors. Kristal observation tower _Public building
A simple mirror cube as a response to a challenging spatial context – an architectural contrast between old and new. Mirror elevator for the Old County _Public building
Recent projects include the Archaeology Pavilion in Celje, the tallest Slovenian building, the Kristal observation tower in Rogaška Slatina, and the Mirror Exterior Elevator of the Old Counties. These buildings are not only functional solutions, but also bold spatial interventions that establish a new dialogue with the surroundings.
The founder of the office, NANDE KORPNIK, has been intertwining his practice with theory and pedagogical work for decades. As one of the first members of the Department of Architecture at the University of Maribor (FGPA), he has been teaching there since 2008. His authorial oeuvre, which ranges from the rehabilitation of the modern architecture of Velenje to prestigious awards such as the Plečnik Award 2000, the Platinum Pencil of the Chamber of Architecture and Spatial Planning of Slovenia for extensive oeuvre and outstanding achievements in the field of architecture 2019, and the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage, Europa Nostra Award 2019, confirms his commitment to the culture of space, which goes beyond just construction.
At KORPNIK PRODUKCIJA, we provide a comprehensive and value-oriented service - from the first sketch to the final implementation. Each project, regardless of the financial framework, is carefully balanced with the client's needs, spatial conditions and the most modern technical standards.
From Structural Logic
to Spatial Narrative
OUR PROCESS does not begin with form, but with the search for the internal structure of the project.
A modern architectural solution that transforms a sensitive archaeological site into an accessible cultural space that connects heritage, architecture and urban life. Pavilion for the Presentation of Archaeological Remains _Public building
The dynamic corner element defines the adjacent intersection, creates a distinct visual marker and reinforces the building's identity within the urban landscape. Maksimilijan _Residential and commercial building
We understand this structure as a mental framework – a logical and philosophical design that determines how function, context and materiality will intertwine in space. Each line in the plan is part of a larger system that gives the building stability, not only in a physical but also in a semantic sense.
Through this strict structural logic, we then develop a spatial narrative. The bold and expressive forms that are characteristic of our office are a direct result of exploring the boundaries of what is possible in architectural design. In this way, each project becomes a comprehensive story, where architecture not only solves spatial problems, but also actively addresses the user and offers them a rich sensory experience.
Awards & nominations
_VALVAZOR AWARD for 1995 for the Design and layout of Antiquity exhibition for the blind
_Slovenian national award NOMINATION FOR THE EUROPEAN MIES VAN DER ROHE in 1998 for the Exhibition and sales auto salon Integra, Maribor
_PLEČNIK AWARD for 2000 for the Commercial & residential house Acman in Griže near Žalec
_Slovenian national award NOMINATION FOR THE EUROPEAN MIES VAN DER ROHE in 2000 for the Commercial & residential house Acman in Griže near Žalec
_Slovenian national award NOMINATION FOR THE EUROPEAN MIES VAN DER ROHE in 2002 for the Commercial property Menerga, Maribor
_GOLDEN PEN of perfect realization 2005 for the Family house Acman near Žalec
_EUROPEAN PRIZE for GREEN BUILDING, Energy-efficient building for 2008 for the Commercial property Menerga, Maribor
_AWARD from the SAD (Slovenian Archaeological Society) for 2016 for an exceptional and unique achievement in the field of archaeology for the Presentation Pavilion on the Main Square in Celje
_European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage
EUROPA NOSTRA 2019 for the Pavilion for the Presentation of Archaeology on the Glavni Trg in Celje
_PLATINUM PENCIL of the Chamber of Architecture and Spatial Planning of Slovenia for 2019 for an extensive body of work and outstanding achievements in the field of architecture, landscape architecture or spatial planning.
_ICONIC AWARD 2025, winner in the category Public Architecture for the Kristal Observation Tower in Rogaška Slatina
_ICONIC AWARD 2025, winner in the category Public Architecture for the Exterior elevator for the Old County
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Menerga
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Integra
List of Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ARCHITECTURE of VELENJE
Cultural Center Gallery Ivan Napotnik, 1991, Velenje, Slovenia
NARRATIVE ARCHITECTURE
_DESSA gallery, 2000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
_ARCHITECT ASSOCIATION of ZAGREB, The Society's rooms, 2000, Zagreb, Slovenia
NANDE KORPNIK ARCHITECT
Art Salon Celje, 2002, Celje, Slovenia
Group Exhibitions
ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBITION MODERATE OPTIMISM
_Technolyte, 1997, Roma, Italy
_Slovenian cultural center, 1997, Wien, Austria
_Gallery Lipanje Puntin arte contemporanea, 1997, Trieste, Italy
_Haus der Architektur, 1997, Graz, Austria
_Jakopič Gallery, 1998, Ljubljana, Slovenia
_Cultural center Ivan Napotnik, 1998, Velenje, Slovenia
_Croatian Museum of Architecture, 1998, Zagreb, Croatia
_Výstavní sin Widely architect, 1998, Brno, Czech Republic
_Nadace Svoboda, Výstavní sín Obce architektů, 1998, Hradčany, Praha, Czechia
_Pilon Gallery, 1998, Ajdovščina, Slovenia
PLEČNIK MEDAL for 2000 _DESSA gallery, 2000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
SLOVENIAN TWENTIETH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE, City Gallery, 2001, Ljubljana, SI
SLOVENIAN TWENTIETH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE, Art Gallery, 2001, Maribor, SI
ORIS IDEA – INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS
_Stara mestna hiša, 2003, Brežice, Slovenia
_Dom Hrvatskih likovnih umetnikov, 2003, Zagreb, Croatia
_Galerija Umjetnina, 2004, Split, Croatia
_Muzej moderne i suvremene umjetnosti, 2004, Rijeka, Croatia
_Narodni muzej, 2004, Zadar, Croatia
_Gallery SESV, 2004, Firenze, Italy
BAUSTELLE SLOWENIEN, Akademie der Künste, 2005, Berlin, Deutschland
ORIS IDEA – INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS
_Cankarjev dom – Reception Hall, 2005, Ljubljana, Slovenia
_Wiener Stadtische Versicherung, Ringturm, 2005, Wien, Austria
TERRITORIES, IDENTITIES, NETWORKS Slovenian Art 1995–2005, Museum of Modern Art, 2005, Ljubljana, Slovenia
BAUSTELLE SLOWENIEN, Fachhochschule, 2005, Munich, Deutschland
ORIS IDEA – INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS,
_Museum moderner Kunst Stiftung, 2006, Wien, Austria
_Galerija Aluminij, 2006, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
BAUSTELLE SLOWENIEN, Fakultät für Architektur und Landschaft, Leibniz Universität, 2006, Hannover, Deutschland
CONSTRUCTION SITE SLOVENIA, The National Gallery, 2006, Ljubljana, Slovenia
ORIS IDEA – INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS,
_Međunarodna galerija, 2006, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
_Turski kulturni center, 2007 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
_Galerija likovnih umjetnosti, 2007, Osijek, Croatia
CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE IN SLOVENIA, Triennial d'Arcthectura, 2007, Lisbon, Portugal
CONSTRUCTION SITE SLOVENIA, The National Gallery, 2007, Ljubljana, Slovenia
CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE IN SLOVENIA, Galerie Architektury, 2007, Brno, Czechia
SLOVENIA ARCHITECTURE THE MASTERS & THE SCENE, Exhibition Curators: Luka Skansi, Adolph Stiller, Ausstellungszentrum der Wiener Städtische Versicherung AG Vienna, Wien, Austria
SLOVENIAN TWENTIETH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE, Gallery of the Serbian Academy of Science & Art, 2007-2008, Belgrade, Serbia
CONTEMPORARY SLOVENIAN ARCHITECTURE, MGLC Tivoli Castle, 2008, Ljubljana, Slovenia
CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE IN SLOVENIA
_Club Gödör, 2007, Budapest, Hungary
_Künstler Haus, 2007, Salzburg, Austria
_Neue Malzerei, 2008, Berlin, Germany
_Arhitektuurimuuseum, 2008, Tallin, Estonia
_Pollack Mihaly Faculty of Engineering, University of Pécs, Hungary
DESIGN OF THE REPUBLIC – Architecture, design and photography in Slovenia, 1991–2011, MAO – Museum of Architecture and Design, 2011, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Lectures
Lectures given in other institutions, committees, events
_Meeting of the Society of Landscape Architects Slovenia, October 1996, Velenje City Park, Ljubljana, Slovenia
_Urban Planning for New Social Conditions, Modernland Development Through own work, October 1999, Faculty of Architecture, Ljubljana, Slovenia
_Institute of Metal Constructions, Slovenian Days of Steel Structures, Architecture in Steel in 2000, IMK, Ljubljana, Slovenija
_Gallery DESSA, Narrative Architecture, June 2000, DESSA Gallery, Ljubljana, SI
_Faculty of Architecture, Self-presentation in the context of the seminar Igor Kalčič: Pure Romance, November 2000, Faculty of Architecture, Ljubljana, SI
_DAH – Croatian Society of Architects, Self-presentation: Presentation of my Work
The Society's premises, December 2000, Zagreb, Croatia
_MAGDALENA 2001 – International Festival of Visual Communications, Free lectures: Architecture as a Creative Dialogue of Society, May 2001, Narodni dom Maribor, Slovenija
_Architectural Exhibition Nande Korpnik – A course of three lectures:
Pure romance of Architectural Profession
How could City of Celje look like – and will not!
Potency and impotence of Count's Square in Celje
Art Salon, 01-02-03 October 2002, Celje, Slovenia
_Dani ORISA 2002, Samostojno predavanje na mednarodni arhitekturni konferenci: ČISTA ROMANSA, Oktober 2002, KD Vatroslav Lisinski, Zagreb, Hrvaška
_Zgradbe, energija in okolje 2003, Sodelovanle na okrogli mizi: Ekoloska hiša – stvarnost ali mit, oktober 2003, Kongresni center Hotela toplice, Terme čatež, SI
_Svetovni Slovenski kongres, Konferenca slovenskih arhitektov in gradbenikov iz sveta in Slovenije, Predstavitev v Sloveniji delujočih arhitektov, september 2004, Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenija
_Energetika in arhitektura v sozvočju, Sodelovanje na okrogli mizi: Trajnostni razvoi klimatizacije in prezračevanja skozi prizmo arhitekture, november 2010, Poslovni prostori Menerga, Maribor, Slovenija
_Svetovni Slovenski kongres, 4. konferenca slovenskih arhitektov in gradbenikov iz sveta in Slovenije, Varovanie arhitekturne in qradbene dediščine Bohinja, oktober 2910, Park Hotel, Bohinjska Bistrica, Slovenija
_Pecha Kucha vol. 1, Celje, Samostojno predavanje: Staro mestno jedro nas bo vse preživelo, februar 2011, Hotel Evropa kavarna, Celje, Slovenija
_More geography, less Architecture, Koordinator okroqle mize Hiša Arhitekture, marec 2012, Maribor, Slovenija
_Radio ARS, Naši umetniki pred mikrofonom: Nande Korpnik, razgovor vodila Polona Kovačič, maj 2012, RTVSLO, Ljubljana, Slovenija
_ŠOK (Študentska oaza kulture) OKROGLA MIZA: Arhitektura =, razpravljali: Peter Gabrijelčič, Miha Dešman, Nande Korpnik, Uroš Lobnik in Peter Šenk (moderator), november 2012, Hiša arhitekture, Ljubljana, Slovenija
_2nd SYMPOSIUM ON MOSAICS: "Protection and maintenance of mosaics in situ”
KORPNIK, Nande. Presentation of architectural organization of Glavni trg 17 and 17a in Celje with the outline of the architectural design of the exhibition pavilion of archaeology, oktober 2015Mestni muzej, Ljubljana, Slovenija
_STROKOVNI POSVET: BETON 2017, KORPNIK, Nande – Oblikovna izraznost betona
april 2017, Univerza Maribor, Maribor, Slovenija
_Prva Wienerberger Konferencija za arhitekte i projektante u Beogradu, Samostojno predavanje: KORPNIK, Nande, Kuća e4, september 2017, Hotel Radisson BLU, Beograd, Srbija
_Slovenian World Congress, KORPNIK, Nande: Presentation paviljon and mosaic's protection at Glavni trg 17 in Celje, oktober 2017, Rektorat Univerze v Mariboru, SI
_Osrednja knjižnica Celje, Samostojno javno predavanje: KORPNIK, Nande: Arhitektura in arheologija, december 2019, Osrednja knjižnica Celje, Celje, Slovenija
_Outsiderjev festival Orodje za boljše bivanja 2019, Ljubljana, KORPNIK, Nande: Ikonični projekt skozi čas, November 2019, Muzej za arhitekturo in oblikovanje MAO, Ljubljana, Slovenija
_Knjižnica Velenje, Samostojno javno predavanje: KORPNIK, Nande: Arhitekturna pripoved Velenja, Januar 2020, Knjižnica Velenje, Velenje, Slovenia
_SHARE Architects LJUBLJANA 2020, KORPNIK, Nande: Transforming the world through architecture, September 2020, Hotel InterContinetal, Ljubljana, Slovenia
_Celjski dom Celje, javno predavanje: KORPNIK, Nande: O projektu Celjskega visečega mosta, November 2021, Mala dvorana Celjskega doma, Celje, Slovenija
_TACEESM PROJECT 2020-2023, KORPNIK, Nande: Urban architecture and archaelogy, Julij 2022, High Technical School of Architecture of Malaga University (UMA), Malaga, Spain
_Arhitekturna fakulteta v Beogradu, Samostojno predavanje: KORPNIK, Nande: Architectural diary of an architect, April 2023, Arhitekturna fakulteta, Univerza v Beogradu, Beograd, Serbia
_Sustainable materials and techniques in heritage building project, KORPNIK, Nande: Presentation of Celje's cultural heritage, May 2026, Rectory Technical University Gheorghe Asachi (TUIASI), Iasi, Romania
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What Makes Good Architecture Today?
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"ARCHITECTURE AS REFLECTION
OF ITS TIME
There is no single definition of good architecture today. Every building emerges from a unique combination of cultural context, technological possibilities, client aspirations, and the architect’s own perspective. For this reason, architecture should be understood and evaluated within the circumstances of its time.
Not every project can—or should—aspire to become a historical landmark. If a building authentically reflects the era in which it was created and serves its users well throughout its lifespan, it has already achieved something meaningful. In that sense, architecture succeeds when it responds honestly to the realities of its time.
BETWEEN PROFESSION AND ART
Architecture occupies a unique position between technical expertise, craftsmanship, and artistic expression. Unlike most art forms, architecture must always fulfill a practical purpose. Buildings are not created solely to be admired; they must function, endure, and support everyday life.
Some may view these practical requirements as constraints on creativity. Yet they can also be understood as architecture’s greatest strength. Because it is inseparable from reality, architecture has the ability to become one of the most authentic expressions of a particular place and moment in history.
For me, the primary measure of architecture is its usefulness. When functional value is combined with a compelling spatial, aesthetic, or narrative quality, architecture transcends utility and becomes truly exceptional.
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CREATIVITY WITHIN CONSTRAINTS
Architects of previous generations may have enjoyed greater freedom in shaping buildings. Over time, however, architecture has become increasingly influenced by technical standards, regulations, sustainability requirements, and social expectations. These frameworks are necessary, but they inevitably limit certain aspects of individual authorship.
At times, contemporary architects can feel more like coordinators of regulations than creators of space. Yet creativity continues to find its place. Even within highly regulated environments, architects consistently produce innovative, memorable, and culturally significant works. The challenge is no longer the absence of constraints, but the ability to transform them into opportunities for design.
A MORE ENGAGES SOCIETY
Architecture has never been more present in public discourse. More people than ever before are involved in shaping, discussing, and evaluating the built environment. Clients, communities, and users increasingly seek a voice in the design process and in decisions that affect their surroundings.
While this growing participation can occasionally challenge professional expertise, it should largely be viewed as a positive development. It reflects a broader recognition of the importance of architecture and a collective desire for better-designed places to live, work, and gather.
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THE ROLE OF TIME
One of the defining characteristics of contemporary architecture is the absence of a single dominant ideology or formal language. This openness allows for remarkable diversity, experimentation, and innovation. At the same time, it also creates the possibility for misguided or short-lived solutions.
Ultimately, architecture is judged not by trends, awards, or immediate public opinion, but by time itself. Time and place remain the most objective critics of the built environment. They reveal which buildings continue to serve, inspire, and remain relevant long after the circumstances of their creation have passed.
Good architecture is therefore not defined by style alone. It is architecture that responds honestly to its context, fulfills its purpose, and retains meaning beyond the moment in which it was conceived."
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