Stjepan Planic
Encyclopedia
Stjepan Planić was a Croatian architect
. His style can be described as a synthesis of functionalist
and organic
architecture.
, in the studio of Drago Ibler
and in 1931 joined the progressive group founded by Ibler, the Earth Group
.
Planić was a protagonist of the social ideals of modern architecture as well as the aesthetic, and he had a special interest in social or low-cost housing. Ironically, however, he became a sought-after specialist in the design of luxury villas in Zagreb, and was thus marked as a hypocrite. In answer to this charges, he designed office and residential buildings in the centre of Zagreb, which are characterized by simplicity and functional planning; examples include the residential buildings in Draškovićeva Street (1932), Marinkovićeva Street, Bogovićeva Street (1937) and Martićeva Street (1938). He also wrote three "Letters on housing", in which he explains his working concepts in letters to a housewife.
In 1942 he converted the circular Arts Pavilion
, Trg žrtava fašizma, Zagreb, designed by the sculptor Ivan Meštrović
, into a mosque
by adding three free-standing minaret
s around the body of the central cylinder and designing a new interior richly decorated with arabesques. The mosque, a monumental and somewhat bizarre addition to the Central European appearance of its surroundings, was demolished in 1949 for political reasons, and Planić was anathemized
because of it.
After the war, he worked in the Ministry of Construction (1945–1950), Principle Directory of Construction (1950–1952) Secretariat for Construction and Urbanism (1959–1962).
On July 30, 1970 Planić retired but continued with his architectural work. In 1968 he received the Vladimir Nazor Award
for Lifetime Achievement and in 1972 the "Viktor Kovačić" Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. His style can be described as a synthesis of functionalist
Functionalism (architecture)
Functionalism, in architecture, is the principle that architects should design a building based on the purpose of that building. This statement is less self-evident than it first appears, and is a matter of confusion and controversy within the profession, particularly in regard to modern...
and organic
Organic architecture
Organic architecture is a philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world through design approaches so sympathetic and well integrated with its site that buildings, furnishings, and surroundings become part of a unified, interrelated...
architecture.
Biography
From 1920 to 1922 he worked for the architect Rudolf Lubinsky and, after 1927, in his own practice in Zagreb. He also studied architecture (1927–31) at the Academy of Fine Arts ZagrebAcademy of Fine Arts Zagreb
The Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb is a Croatian art school affiliated with the University of Zagreb.The Academy was established in June 1907 as the Royal College for Arts and Crafts and initially had three departments, for sculpting, painting and art education...
, in the studio of Drago Ibler
Drago Ibler
Drago Ibler was a Croatian architect and pedagogue.His style can be described as pure simplicity and functional architecture....
and in 1931 joined the progressive group founded by Ibler, the Earth Group
Earth Group
The Earth Group was a Croatian arts collective and which brought together artists, architects and intellectuals and which was active in Zagreb from 1929 to 1935. The group aimed to defend their artistic independence against foreign influences such as Impressionism or Neoclassicism and Art for...
.
Planić was a protagonist of the social ideals of modern architecture as well as the aesthetic, and he had a special interest in social or low-cost housing. Ironically, however, he became a sought-after specialist in the design of luxury villas in Zagreb, and was thus marked as a hypocrite. In answer to this charges, he designed office and residential buildings in the centre of Zagreb, which are characterized by simplicity and functional planning; examples include the residential buildings in Draškovićeva Street (1932), Marinkovićeva Street, Bogovićeva Street (1937) and Martićeva Street (1938). He also wrote three "Letters on housing", in which he explains his working concepts in letters to a housewife.
In 1942 he converted the circular Arts Pavilion
Meštrovic Pavilion
Meštrović Pavilion is a building located on Žrtava Fašizma Square in central Zagreb, Croatia, designed by Ivan Meštrović and built in 1938, that has served several functions in its lifetime...
, Trg žrtava fašizma, Zagreb, designed by the sculptor Ivan Meštrović
Ivan Meštrovic
Ivan Meštrović was a Croatian and Yugoslav sculptor and architect born in Vrpolje, Croatia...
, into a mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
by adding three free-standing minaret
Minaret
A minaret مناره , sometimes مئذنه) is a distinctive architectural feature of Islamic mosques, generally a tall spire with an onion-shaped or conical crown, usually either free standing or taller than any associated support structure. The basic form of a minaret includes a base, shaft, and gallery....
s around the body of the central cylinder and designing a new interior richly decorated with arabesques. The mosque, a monumental and somewhat bizarre addition to the Central European appearance of its surroundings, was demolished in 1949 for political reasons, and Planić was anathemized
Anathema
Anathema originally meant something lifted up as an offering to the gods; it later evolved to mean:...
because of it.
After the war, he worked in the Ministry of Construction (1945–1950), Principle Directory of Construction (1950–1952) Secretariat for Construction and Urbanism (1959–1962).
On July 30, 1970 Planić retired but continued with his architectural work. In 1968 he received the Vladimir Nazor Award
Vladimir Nazor award
The Vladimir Nazor Award is an annual award given by the Croatian Ministry of Culture to Croatian artists for highest achievements in various artistic fields. It was established in 1959 and is named after the notable writer Vladimir Nazor...
for Lifetime Achievement and in 1972 the "Viktor Kovačić" Award for Lifetime Achievement.