Leonida Zalokar Starost

Leonida Zalokar Starost: A Trailblazing Architect and Urban Planner

Early Life and Education

Leonida Zalokar Starost was born in 1888 in Ljubljana, Austria-Hungary (now Slovenia). She studied architecture at the Technical University of Vienna, graduating in 1914 as one of the first women to earn an architecture degree in Europe.

Career and Contributions

Pioneering Role in Architecture and Urban Planning

Starost played a pivotal role in the development of modern architecture and urban planning in Slovenia and beyond. She was a member of the Slovenian avant-garde movement and advocated for functionalist and rationalist design principles. One of her most notable works is the Zalokar Starost House in Ljubljana, constructed in 1939 and considered an icon of Slovenian modernism.

Influence on Urban Planning

Starost's influence extended beyond architecture into urban planning. She was involved in the planning of several towns and cities in Slovenia, including Bled and Celje. Her vision for sustainable and livable urban environments was ahead of its time, and her ideas continue to shape urban planning practices today.

Post-World War II Work

After World War II, Starost worked on the reconstruction of war-torn Slovenia. She designed numerous public buildings and housing projects, contributing to the rebuilding of the country's infrastructure and economy.

Legacy and Recognition

Leonida Zalokar Starost's legacy as an architect and urban planner is undeniable. She was a trailblazer who broke down barriers for women in architecture and left a lasting mark on the built environment of Slovenia. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Prešeren Award, Slovenia's highest honor for artistic achievement.

Additional Resources

• Slovenian Women's International Museum
• Architectural Digest: Leonida Zalokar Starost
• Modernism and Urban Planning: Leonida Zalokar Starost and the National Style in Interwar Yugoslavia