DCB Montana is a major milestone in transforming Ljubljana’s industrial Moste district into a thriving business hub. As a cornerstone of this transformation, DCB Montana is central to reshaping the area into a dynamic business park. Designed by the architectural firm BAX, the project focuses on elevating local standards in urban planning, architecture, and sustainability, while embracing the flexibility demanded by modern work styles. The design also highlights the importance of connecting the building to the public space around it, making the architecture a seamless part of the environment.
The journey began in September 2019, when the winner of an international urban planning and architectural design competition was announced. The competition, organized by the Slovenian company Dimnikcobau, sought a visionary design for what would become one of Central Europe’s most innovative business centers. The winning proposal, from the Barcelona-based BAX team led by architects Boris Bežan and Mónica Juvera, stood out for its forward-thinking approach.
Opening its doors in September 2024, DCB Montana is the first and most iconic building in a larger business complex covering 12,439 m². The project also includes redesigned outdoor spaces, the renovation of an existing building originally used for offices, warehouses, and logistics, and a second phase that will add more office and storage areas. The building is designed to promote collaboration, offering a variety of flexible spaces while also meeting the highest standards of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
With 10 floors, DCB Montana accommodates up to four office units per floor, each with flexible layouts that can be customized to meet the needs of its tenants. Expansive terraces offer panoramic views of the city and surrounding nature, while the inclusion of a restaurant, café, meeting rooms, and a multifunctional gallery provides a range of spaces that connect seamlessly. A central atrium floods the building with natural light and optimizes ventilation, bringing a sense of openness and connection to the entire space.
A key challenge for BAX was to design a building with a distinct architectural language, one that would make a strong statement and serve as a symbol of change in what is becoming one of Ljubljana’s most innovative districts. The solution came through a clever design feature: the diagonal shifting of two corners of the building. This subtle yet effective move gives the building a dynamic form and also serves as an architectural strategy to improve circulation within the complex. The rhomboid shape also connects the building to public space, creating landscaped micro-environments with winding benches, further blending the architecture with its surroundings.
From the beginning, the design of DCB Montana aimed to be one of Slovenia’s first sustainable office buildings. By incorporating solutions that significantly reduce energy consumption while enhancing the daily experience for those working and visiting, the building has earned the DGNB Gold certification and an A1 energy rating.
