Stjepan Planić facts for kids

Stjepan Planić (born December 27, 1900 – died December 26, 1980) was a famous Croatian architect. He was known for his unique building style. His designs combined two main ideas: functionalism and organic architecture.

Functionalism means buildings are designed mostly for how they will be used. Organic architecture means buildings fit in with nature and feel like a part of their surroundings.

About Stjepan Planić

Stjepan Planić started his career in architecture in the 1920s. He first worked for another architect, Rudolf Lubinsky. Later, in 1927, he opened his own architecture office in Zagreb, a city in Croatia.

His Education and Early Groups

Planić also went to school to study architecture. He attended the Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb from 1927 to 1931. He learned from a teacher named Drago Ibler. In 1931, Planić joined a group started by Ibler called the Earth Group. This group was known for its new and modern ideas in art and design.

Designing Buildings for People

Stjepan Planić believed that modern architecture should help society. He was very interested in designing homes that were affordable for many people. These were called "low-cost housing."

Even though he cared about affordable homes, he also became well-known for designing fancy houses. These were called "luxury villas" in Zagreb. To show his commitment to simple, useful designs, he also created office and apartment buildings in the center of Zagreb.

These buildings were known for being simple and well-planned. Some examples include buildings on Draškovićeva Street (built in 1932) and Martićeva Street (built in 1938). He also wrote letters called "Letters on housing" to explain his ideas about home design.

A Special Project: The Meštrović Pavilion

In 1942, Planić worked on a very interesting project. He changed a round building in Zagreb called the Meštrović Pavilion. This building was originally designed by a sculptor named Ivan Meštrović.

Planić transformed it into a mosque. He added three tall towers called minarets around the main building. He also designed a new inside for the building. This new interior was decorated with beautiful patterns. The mosque was later taken down in 1949.

Later Work and Awards

After World War II, Stjepan Planić continued to work for the government. He worked in different departments related to construction and city planning. He worked for the Ministry of Construction from 1945 to 1950.

Planić retired from his official job on July 30, 1970. However, he kept working on architectural projects. He received two important awards for his long and successful career. In 1968, he won the Vladimir Nazor Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 1972, he received the "Viktor Kovačić" Award for Lifetime Achievement.