Within the Studio for Open Urban Spaces Design, international Erasmus+ students Diego Hoyos, Leire Jorge, and Carmen Marqués, mentored by Prof. Peter Gabrijelčič and assistant Brina Ana Lukić, designed the AGORA project. This innovative solution was created in response to the specific needs of Ljubljana’s Open Kitchen, a popular open-air food market held every Friday in Pogačar Square. The main challenge of the project was to design an adaptable piece of urban furniture that provides visitors with temporary shade for sun protection, comfortable seating and dining areas during the event, while simultaneously enhancing the social atmosphere of the urban space with its aesthetics.
The conceptual design is based on spiral geometry, enabling adaptation to the dynamics and changing needs of public space. During the day, the structure unfolds to reveal three interconnected modules at different heights, intended for diverse forms of interaction: the lowest section serves as a bench for relaxed seating, the middle level is adapted for comfortable dining, and the highest section functions as a bar for standing or leaning. In the evening or at the end of the event, the individual modules easily fold into a compact, cylindrical urban sculpture that does not obstruct pedestrian flow and functions as an orderly visual element in the square.
The technical design of the project combines durability, lightness, and easy movement across public areas. The primary structure is composed of tubular steel with smoothly finished TIG welds, complemented by stainless steel sheet cladding and a breathable, weather-resistant synthetic wicker mesh. The entire system is connected via stainless steel hinges and equipped with industrial swivel casters featuring foot-operated brakes, allowing for rapid maneuvering, secure anchoring on paved surfaces, and reliable use under all conditions.
