Why is a vase like a house?: From Systems to Fantasy with Designer Janja Lap

This scientific monograph is the first work to systematically and comprehensively cover the life and work of the designer and architect Janja Lap, who was active in the field of design during the latter half of the 20th century. The scientific discussion includes an analysis of the scientific literature on the subject, with the authors synthesising everything into original findings. The monograph will, in most cases for the first time, shed light on the many overlooked aspects of the work and life of Janja Lap, as well as draw attention to the hitherto unknown foundations of Slovenian research in the field of design. It is certainly a work that we have long been waiting for.

Prof. Irena Lazar, Ph.D., Scientific and Museum Councillor

The scientific monograph on the Slovenian architect and designer Janja Lap is of groundbreaking importance for the Slovenian art and architecture history, being the first in-depth scholarly work focusing on a female Slovenian artist in the fields of architecture and design. It is no coincidence that the authors chose this particular artist, as she is not only among the first post-war pioneers of Slovenian architecture, whose research and projects made a key contribution to the design and planning of new integrated residential neighbourhoods, but also one of the key pioneers of design in Slovenia, having introduced a completely new scientific methodology, namely the research and development of new systemic approaches to previously identified problems. With her 1960s research, Janja Lap was at least thirty years ahead of other Slovenian designers in the field of service design and environmentally-friendly, sustainability-oriented circular design that has become an omnipresent facet of life in modern society.

Helena Seražin, Principal Research Associate

The publication of the scholarly monograph on the Slovenian architect and designer Janja Lap, Why is a Vase Like a House? From Systems to Fantasy with the Designer in 2023 was a turning point in Slovenian art history and history of architecture. This was the first in-depth academic study to offer a comprehensive examination of the Slovenian architect’s creative output in this field. As one of the female pioneers of Slovenian architecture of the post-war period, Janja Lap not only rendered a key contribution to the design and planning of new integrated residential neighbourhoods, but also introduced new scientific methodologies that involved systemic approaches to identify and resolve challenges encountered in modern residential constructions. She is also recognised as one of the foremost pioneers of design in Slovenia. Having spent some of her career working in UK institutions, the potential impact of her work beyond Slovenian borders merits the publication of the monograph in English. In doing so, Janja Lap’s work will be made accessible to a wider, international public, professional or otherwise, which will facilitate placing her within the global context of the history of architecture and design. The monograph can therefore importantly contribute to the global recognition of Slovenian creativity and add to the existing international narratives, which have so far largely failed to cover (female) Slovenian authors. The English edition also enables researchers, curators, museums and other professionals and institutions dealing with the history of design and architecture to include Janja Lap and her work in relevant comparative studies.

Barbara Vodopivec, Ph.D., historian and sociologist of culture, research associate