Jože Plečnik

Jože Plečnik (°Ljubljana, 23 January 1872 – †7 January 1957) was a Slovene architect.

He studied with noted Viennese architect and educator Otto Wagner and worked in Wagner’s architecture office until 1900. From 1900 through 1910, while practicing in the Wagner’s office in Vienna, he designed the Langer House (1900) and the Zacherlhaus (1903–1905). In 1911, Plečnik moved to Prague, where he taught at the college of arts and crafts. The Czech President at the time, Tomáš Masaryk, appointed Plečnik chief architect for the 1920 renovation of the Prague Castle.
Plečnik gave the capital of Slovenia, the city of Ljubljana, its modern identity by designing iconic buildings such as the Slovene National and University Library building.

During the Communist period of Slovene history Plečnik fell out of favor as a Catholic and his teaching role at the university was gradually reduced because he was over 70 years old. He received fewer commissions, although he did complete some smaller monuments, fountains and church renovations in the 1950s. Plečnik died in 1957 and received an official state funeral in Žale.