2. date of birth:
19.06.1978
address:
TBILISIJSKA 40
1000 LJUBLJANA
SLOVENIA
phone:
++386 51 362 333
e-mail:
kumer.mojca@gmail.com
My name is Molly and this portfolio is the result of the past 8 years of learning,
creativity, and growth, my pride and joy. Also my blood, sweat, and tears. A few
sleepless nights thrown in for good measure.
I was fortunate enough to have had worked for two different landscape
architecture studios, starting at the Institute for Integrated Development and
Environment Domzale and only a year later continuing my professional growth
with Studio AKKA. This amazing team has shared their knowlege, teckniques,
and aproaches for the past 7 years and still continues to inspire and teach me
daily. Studio AKKA focuses mostly on landscape and urban design for public
clients, but does not shy away from private gardens either. Projects range from
town planning to parks and gardens, from playgrounds to town squares and
historic renovations, regardless of scale and type of interventions.
The past years have tought me a trasury worth of knowledge in all fields,
computer programme use, skill in building models, practical understanding of
the translation of drawings into the reality of land forms, paving, plant choice,
retaining walls, and garden furniture. While I cherish and am greatful for the
experience and knowlege, I have also come to the realisation that my curiosity,
joy, and interest lies in the smaller scale of private projects. I enjoy being
involved in the creation of something personal, connecting a home with it’s
immediate surrounding, the intimacy of a private garden.
Molly Kumer
3. Street corridor on Dunajska road
SVIZ
Architect Plečnik’s garden - reconstruction
Social and work activities center for the disabled
Public bathing area Fiesa
Kindergarten playground renovation
Student campus Koper
Celovška residential neighbourhood
Sports park Stožice - playground
Črnuče residential neighbourhood
Private garden Hrovača
Private garden 09-05
High-school Ravne grounds
Football association of Slovenia Brdo pri Kranju
Nordic center Planica: mountain stream
portfolio directory
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4. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2008 - 2010
authors: prof. Ana Kučan, u.d.i.k.a.,
Luka Javornik, u.d.i.k.a., Zaš Brezar,
Mojca Kumer, u.d.i.k.a.
Street corridor on Dunajska road
The design deals with the problem of protecting the pedestrian from harmful
impact of traffic, thus enabling the more complex use of street space. Proposal
for Dunajska 2 respects the future redesign of the whole Dunajska road corridor.
Trees are located at the edge of the road, underplanted with a strip of
shrubbery. Pedestrian corridor is wider. An undulating line of seating elements
is put in the middle of the corridor, defining a functional zone as a boundary
between private and public, concentrating activity in the middle, and setting
free the outer and the inner zone for communication.
master plan
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7. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2009
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Mojca Kumer
SVIZ
In this minute garden belonging to the headquarters of Education, Science
and Culture Trade Union of Slovenia our aim was to create an ever changing
abstract pattern of ground cover, easy to maintain, winter hardy, and heat
resistant.
master plan
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9. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2009 - 2015
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Mojca Kumer,
Eva Zupan
ARCHITECT PLEČNIK’S GARDEN - RENOVATION
Conservationist renovation of Plečnik’s garden where the aim was to recreate
a concept established by Plečnik himself. He saw his garden as a creative
polygon, a harmony between man made and natural.
- A pergola accents the longitudinal axis of the garden;
- the brick wall serves as an exibition area for Plečnik’s cast concrete elements,
reminding us of his habit of saving and whenever possible reusing surplus
elements from his construction sites;
- the beehive, bees being an inspiration to the architect, restored to a pristine
condition, stands as witness to Plečnik’s almost regimental work habits;
- the tradition of renting out the vegetable garden patch has been kept alive
since the architect moved in the house in 1920’s.
garden master plan
shadow view of the garden and house
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12. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2010
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Mojca Kumer,
Luka Javornik
SOCIAL AND WORK ACTIVITIES CENTER FOR THE DISABLED
model of roofed storage
and activities area
- foam board
- wooden skewer sticks
view of roofed storage and
activities area
view of green border with rest niches
Social and work activities for the disabled Toncka Hocevar is a well functioning
facility that only needed an update of the small garden that surrounds the
facility itself. The objective was to give the residents defined areas for socialising,
work activities, and rest, all connected with a path that can be easily manged
whatever the disability a particular resident had.
We created a long pergola-like structure that serves as dining and work
activities area and also houses a kennel for the therapy dog, and a storage unit
for garden tools. The thickly planted garden border is shaped into niches with
benches for resting or spending time with visitors or therapists.
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15. Fiesa, Slovenia
national competition, 1st prize
Studio AKKA, 2010
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Mojca Kumer,
Ana Tepina, Luka Javornik,
Miha Slekovec, Zaš Brezar,
Martina Tepina
PUBLIC BATHING AREA FIESA
illustrative master plan
This little sliver of Slovenian coast is one of the few places where a sweet water
lake is found in the imediate vicinity of a salt water body, separated only by a
narow strip of land.
The proposed plan extends the beach into which runs a path from a nerby
town, thus connecting the two water bodies with a single light surface.
The landscape and volume of the camping grounds connect through support
walls onto which buildings are leaning, designed in a toned down architectural
design. This way the wall is a connecting element hemming the area while at
the same time creating a discrete dividing line between cultural and natural.
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16. FIESA
plan of the area
- traffic and interest points
cross section A
cross section B
B
A
18. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2009 - 2011
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Mojca Kumer,
Gaja Ttrbižan, Luka Javornik
Show at DKAS exibition Landscapes,
Ljubljana 2010, Ethnographic museum
LEDINA KINDERGARDEN PLAYGROUND RENOVATION
model
- foam board
- craft paper
- textile mesh
- cardboard
This playground spans over several two which created several chalenges as well
as opportunities in the design process. The playground is divided into several
areas of soft and hard surfaces: gently ondulating grass, gravel, sand, asfalt,
and polytan. The trees on the edges provide shade while the area by the main
building is shaded with the aid of a UV resistant army masking net. Play
equipment includes structures for climbing, sliding, crawling, digging, and
several ways of incorporating water into the play and learning. The asfalt surface
is shaped into a cycling lane for learning traffic rules while also rapresenting
a large canvas for chalk art.
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21. Koper, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2009 - 2011
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Mojca Kumer,
Luka Javornik
STUDENT CAMPUS KOPER
The plan for the student campus focuses on an open area amidst the university
buildings, forming a square with alleys connecting the square with the outside
space. Planting follows the ortagonal design and is executed in a raster in the
paving.
campus master plan
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22. detail:
green island cross section
detail:
green island plan
CAMPUS KOPER
In the narow spaces between buildings the green islands are lifted off the
ground in round container-like concrete stuctures with seating on the rim. These
containers are planted with small, multi-stemmed trees and a herbacious layer
of ground cover.
These island are designed as rest points for students on breaks or after class, the
trees provide shade on warmer days while the robust herbacious layer offers an
additinal surface for sitting or even lying down. The ground cover consists of a
selection of hardy and resiliant herbs like creeping thyme, dwarf variety of mint,
and simmilar that emmit a pleasant aroma upon touch.
23. roof terrace: front view
roof terrace: plan
CAMPUS KOPER
The plan for the student campus also includes an open air study room or chill out
area. It is situated on a roof terrace of one of the faculty buildings. The space
is articulated with large outdoor furniture and containers for climbing plants,
small trees, perenials, and herbs. The climbers create a strong vertical element,
covering the steel cables and the roof structure with shade providing greenery.
25. Ljubljana, Slovenia
National competition 2011,
acknowledgment
Studio AKKA
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan,
dr. Tatjana Capuder, Zaš Brezar
Luka Javornik, Mojca Kumer,
Ana Tepina, Miha Slekovec,
CELOVŠKA PARTNERSHIP
The spatial design for the degraded part of Ljubljana along the Celovška road
comes from two starting points:
1. in the context of the entire city Celovška road represents one of the
constitutive veins through which the city spreads outwards. The spatial design
recommends the redisign of this city axis into a city-shaping element, i.e. a
boulevard, with a city-shaping profile along the entire length.
2. in the past, before the succesive construction of the late 20th century, there
was farmland on both sides of the Celovška road.
The spatial design of the area suggests intertwining both of the above starting
points while at the same time looks to the conceptual idea of the greek polis as
the ideal: public life is equaly intended for all the cityzens of the area.
The green open spaces are embedded in a broader picture of the city system.
The main park axis lies in the N-S direction with the connecting surfaces following
the E-W direction serve mainly as a recreational coridors. The green belts
along the main roads serve as ecological coridors, since the resence of traffic
diminishes their attraction for recreational purposes.
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27. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2010
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Luka Javornik,
Mojca Kumer, Ana tepina
PARK STOŽICE - PLAYGROUND
The playground is part of a large sports park in Ljubljana, where all the main
sports events are held. The area is fenced off from the rest of the park, providing
containment and security for children and enclosed in a cool embrace of a lush
green border.
The playground consists of two main areas: area for young children (up to 6 yrs
old) and an area for kids age 6 to 15 yrs. The two areas are connected by two
terrain modulations: a large concrete bowl-like structure and a grassy slope,
both apropriate for use by both age groups of children.
The concrete bowl is nestled in a larger concrete structure, a climbing wall with
different inclinations of it’s walls, so it can be used for climbing (at it’s steepest
side it has climbing holds), runing, crawling, sliding and rolling down it’s sides
safely. The grass surface is equipped for less adrenalin filled activities, has two
slides leaning on one of it’s sides and some climbing ropes to incorporate
excersize for additional muscle groups.
The playground is equipped with a variety of play equipment, structures and
surfaces that provide a wide span of recreational activities apropriate for all
age groups and types of activities: demanding fisical activities like the climbing
wall and a complex structure of wooden trunks, classic playground equippment
like swings, carusels, and also caters to the more creative and exploratiry mind
with musical instruments, willow evergrowing mistery tunnels, etc.
The two entrances to the playground are designed as nodes between the
playground and park. Both entrance points are equipped with concrete
seating, a drinking fountain and rubbish bins. The resting areas are all located
under the canopy of trees, thus providing protection from the hot summer
Sun and also creating an entry motif. Both entry points are connected with a
concrete surface, that also facilitates access for the disabled.
playground area
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30. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2010
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Luka Javornik,
Mojca Kumer, Zaš Brezar
RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD ČRNUČE
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detail: retaining wall with planting detail: rest area with bench
Landscape for residential area in Črnuče is envisioned as a translation of the
idea of a garden into the space between densly bult residential buildings.
Landscape design aims at creating unfolding spaces that offer shelter and
can be used by all age groups of residents. Buildings are hence set into »green
islands« of groundcover plants, lined out by low retaining walls thus defining a
clear divide between the public and the private. Bays of gravel and grass line
up the undulating areas of pavement enabling intimacy as well as supporting
informal socialization. Distribution of benches, tables and chairs equally in shady
and sunny locations support this idea, including positions from which views open
to the neighbouring pond.
Light transparent crowns of robinia and sorbus curtain direct views between
the apartments. Small leaves allow sunlight to touch the ground and provide
enough light also to the apartments facing north. Horizontal layering of planting
and its fine granulation make the space look larger than it really is while the
softness of curvilinear structure alludes to cosiness and domesticity. Design aims
to make clear its reference to the garden, the refugee, stimulate relaxed use
of space, encourage socializing and thus strengthen social ties among the
residents.
33. Hrovača, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2011 - 2013
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Luka Javornik,
Mojca Kumer
PRIVATE GARDEN HROVAČA
This garden is situated in a small village in the rural part of Slovenia, the house
being part of several other already renovated buildings in the near vicinity. The
project included a complete renovation of the house and designig a garden
that would stay true to a traditional structure of a rustic farmhouse garden.
Followeing those guidelines we aimed to create a simple space, with accents
on heirloom fruit baring trees and only an occasional old variety frowering shrub.
The entrance to the garden is flanked by a row of one of the most typical pear
trees followed by a modern take of a traditional vine supporting structure. Rows
of peonies and currants hide the top part of an underground gas tank, while
behind the barn hide a traditional fenced herb and flower garden and the
jewel of every homestead, an apple and plum tree orchard.
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36. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2009 - 2012
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Luka Javornik,
Mojca Kumer, Ana Tepina
PRIVATE GARDEN 09-05
garden master plan
cross section
This garden follows a gentle slope rolling away from a family hose on the edge
of a forest. The garden design takes advantage of the terrain, creating spaces
for social activities like a fun evening at the fire pit, areas for quiet reflection with
enchanting views of the surrounding landscape, and poinst for appretiation of
the beauty of the ever changing shape and color of nature. While the terrace
closest to the house is a meticulously kept lawn, the lower terraces further down
the slope only get mown occasionaly, mostly flowing with tall grasses and wild
flowers of an unkempt meadow. The plants chosen were mostly wild species for
soft merging of a cultivated space and wild growing forest.
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38. Ravne na Koroškem, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2012 - 2014
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Luka Javornik,
Mojca Kumer, Zaš Brezar
PUBLIC HIGH-SCHOOL RAVNE GROUNDS
The landscape design of the area is part of a larger school and recreational
center area. The design derives it’s characteristics from the form of the new
school building while also taking into consideration the natural conditions of the
terrain: the rising terrain behind the school, the edge of the forest, and a pond.
The large paved area infront of the new building connects to the sports buidings
in the West via a paved path, that leads over the side of the pond. There are
two tribunes, a larger one, enclosed in an atrium, for school events and open air
lectures, and a second, smaller one offering a chill out area for the kids to enjoy.
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40. Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2012 - 2015
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Luka Javornik,
Mojca Kumer, Zaš Brezar
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SLOVENIA HEADQUARTERS
The placement of the football headquarters takes into consideration the
quality of park design and, as far as circumstances permit, exploiting it for a
programme and design upgrade. An important design and conceptual starting
point is the heritage of the landscape garden that gave the local area it’s
character. Historicly park Brdo has served as a center for protocol events and
accomodated guests of the state and it still holds it’s image and importance
following it’s function. The Football association is placed in the West part of the
park, once a farm land (ferme orneé), and it still maintains it’s original spatial
ratios between open flat land and the volume of the forest, such as found in
documents from the 18th century.
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43. MANAGEMENT OF THE MOUNTAIN
STREAM
Planica, Slovenia
Studio AKKA, 2012 - 2014
authors:
prof. Ana Kučan, Luka Javornik,
Mojca Kumer, Miha Slekovec,
Zaš Brezar
NORDIC CENTER PLANICA
As Planica is set at the forefoot of the largest protected area in Slovenia and
forms one of the most exciting entryways to the Triglav National Park, large
sport facilities take their own stand. Design is based on the profound relation
between architecture, the constructed site, and the natural setting. The precise
design of topography, the systematic reduction of material, bold shapes and
clear geometrical forms, all lines itself with the monumental silhouette of the
mountains and the calmness of the pines and beech forest.
master plan of the entire project with position of the stream riverbed
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44. PLANICA
master plan of the cast concrete walls of the stream
The Nordic Centre at Planica is an intervention into the magnificent Alpine
frame and it’s symbolic charge, which renders all excessive design absurd.
Design follows technical and organizational requirements of a large sport facility
thus revealing the new character of the space. It stands in contrast to the
natural dynamics of the surrounding mountainous landscape and creates an
organized, functional and technically flawless counterpart that is perfected by
the logic of engineering.
