Slovenia is an alpine country: 11 percent of its territory is above 1,600 meters above sea level. The Slovenian Alps are dotted with secluded farms and clustered hamlets, and there are larger towns on the plains of the pre-Alpine regions. In the 1990s, Slovenia, together with other Alpine countries, acceded to the International Convention on the Protection of the Alps. Due to its small size, the Slovenian Alpine space is manageable, but very fragile and sensitive to various interventions, especially architectural ones. Namely, architecture directs the mentality and consciousness of people, and thus also cultural and economic development. Today, it is difficult to talk about revitalizing the Alps without mentioning tourism, which brings money to the Alpine environment and creates jobs. Unfortunately, the Slovenian alpine space is developing without a comprehensive urban and architectural development direction. Economic and tourism strategies are also vague. Individual examples of modern quality architecture are rather happy coincidence of the architect's sensitivity, experience and mastery, and the investor's cultural breadth. That is why the examples of good architectural practice that culturally and economically revive the Slovenian Alpine region and preserve its identity stand out all the more. They are distinguished by their attitude towards the environment – understanding and respect for the natural and cultural landscape, dimensions of volumes that are carefully integrated into the scenography of mountain ambiences, modern spatial design, selection of new natural materials, interpretation of traditional architectural heritage and preservation of local traditions and knowledge of our ancestors.
Regional Development and Cultural Landscape Change in the Alps: The Challenge of Polarization