Aljoša Dekleva graduated in Ljubljana and received Master degree in Architecture with Distinction from Architectural Association in London. He co-directs architectural practice Dekleva Gregoric Architects based in Ljubljana. The practice pursues the concept of „research by design“ and „design by research“ spanning on several modes (spatial, social, material, historical...), different scales and programs as well as diverse climates and localities. The understanding of specific constrains and conditions of the context becomes the ultimate generative tool that aims to challenge the obvious and to propose specific response. They utilize a systematic design approach to establish an intense structuring of space and to challenge the use of materials by exposing their primary natures.

With Tina Gregorič he curated the Slovenian national pavilion at Venice Architectural Biennale 2016, where they addressed the topics of home and dwelling as current, critical social and environmental issues with [Home at Arsenale] – a curated library addressing the notions of home and dwelling performing within a 1:1 parametric site-specific inhabitable spatial wooden structure.

The work of dekleva gregorič architects first received international attention with XXS house in Ljubljana, and was awarded the Silver Plate, European Architecture Award Luigi Cosenza, in 2004, and the WALLPAPER* award, Best breakthrough designers, in 2005. In 2009, the Metal recycling plant ODPAD was nominated and shortlisted for the Mies van den Rohe Award 2009, was awarded at the International Architecture Awards 2009, and won Plečnik’s Medal prize in Slovenia among others. Four further projects have been nominated for Mies van den Rohe Award – the most important European architectural award: Housing Perovo (2013), Compact Karst House (2015) and two collective projects: KSEVT (Cultural Centre of EU Space Technologies) (2013) and Slovenska street renovation (2017). Since 2012 the Clifftop house on Maui has received intense international attention and several awards: AIT award, International Architecture Awards 2012 and honourable mention at American Architecture Prize 2016 among others. In 2015 they explored the potentials of redefining regional tradition and condensed family life in Compact Karst House, which won the WAN House of the Year 2015 Award, Best architects 16 Award, and was commended in the prestigious AR House Award 2015, by Architectural Review, UK.

The practice was awarded in 2009 the International 40 under 40 award from the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies and was named in 2013 Highly Commended at the 21 for 21 WAN AWARDS 2012 – a search for „The 21 architects for the 21st century. The initiative aims to highlight outstanding, forward-thinking people and organisations who have the demonstrable potential to be the next big thing in the architectural world.“

Lehrtätigkeit

Since 2014 he runs an experimental teaching and research programme AA Nanotourism Visiting School at the Architectural Association in London that takes place yearly in various locations around the globe. He was a guest professor in Montréal (2014), Paris (2016), Karlsruhe (2018) and a Gehry Chair at Daniels Toronto (2019).