“The challenge is definitely the question of whether architecture and design can transform reality and whether the interior can represent the transition of a virtual media space into a living environment.”

We talked to David Mišič, head of the architectural bureau Styria Architecture, about the Tourist Agency Sonček project in the Aleja shopping center in Ljubljana, where he captivatingly and functionally designed the architecture of the space with frameless glass automatic sliding doors.

You’ve come across countless projects in your career. How did you start the project for the Agency Sonček in the Aleja shopping center? What was its central thread?

“With every project, regardless of its scale, size or location, we try to find new solutions. In fact, every project is basically a problem for the client, which is also an opportunity for a new solution. Agency Sonček is certainly one of those where we were looking for a new term on an extremely small scale.

Travel is a person’s inner inclination, full of positive emotions and needs. How to capture and personify the environment that one internally expects or relives, satisfy that frantic enthusiasm, and partially virtualize the space has been a key thread in the planning. ”

We can notice the thoughtfully designed interior with accentuated details. Where did you draw inspiration from and what was your biggest challenge?

“The challenge is definitely the question of whether architecture and design can transform reality and whether the interior can represent the transition of a virtual media space into a living environment.

The feeling of walking on water and the sandy beach, observing gallery walls, panoramic places and the scenic landscape in the background are triggers that are supposed to encourage positive emotions for consumers in anticipation of the experience.”

We would like to take this opportunity to point out that in this project you have opted for the frameless glass automatic sliding door type 300 thales Doorson. We can notice a thoughtful and practically invisible integration of the door into the space. Was that your intentional move? How did you manage to achieve an “invisible” connection of the door with the interior?

“The door between the street and the bar is actually an almost imperceptible dividing line, which has the exclusive function of acoustic insulation and a barrier between public and semi-public space. With the help of Doorson’s sliding door system without frames, we managed to neutralize this barrier with maximum transparency. We also used non-reflective display glass which has no light reflections.”

How can you define the importance of the functional touchless entrance to the Sonček branch?

“The importance of a functional touchless entrance maintains maximum visual contact between two separate ambiences, in addition to the otherwise desirable spatial isolation and protection.”

Do you want to highlight another special feature of this project?

“Project Sonček is a good example of how inseparable design, architecture and technology are on the common denominator of creativity.”

An inspiration thought for the end …

“The line between the real and the virtual is becoming increasingly blurred and difficult to perceive. Space and time are changing their dimensions, even those that are less measurable. Reality is virtualizing and the virtual is becoming a new reality.”