The Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO) is a national museum in Ljubljana, Slovenia, focused on architecture, design and photography. Its roots date to 1972, when the Municipality of Ljubljana established the Architectural Museum Ljubljana; in 2010, responsibility transferred to the Slovenian state and the institution became a national museum under its current name. 23
MAO is based at Fužine Castle, where it has been located since 1992. 3 Its collections document Slovenian architectural and design heritage, including architecture, industrial and graphic design, and photography; the museum also maintains a specialised library and the Plečnik Collection, housed separately at Plečnik House. 3 The museum’s departments collect, preserve, research and present material in their respective fields. 3
Alongside its collection and exhibition work, MAO administers the Biennial of Design (BIO), a programme that has operated under the museum’s aegis since 1972. 3 Its wider activities include public events and international cooperation: since 2015, it has played a central role in the Future Architecture Platform. 3 The museum describes itself as an international platform for emerging architecture and design talent and as a supporter of Slovenia’s creative sector. 6
The museum was initially established on the initiative of art historian Stane Bernik; Matija Murko was its first director, followed by Peter Krečič, who led it from 1978 to 2010. 2 Bogo Zupančič became director in November 2020, according to the museum’s history page. 2