Born in Ljubljana in 1872, Plečnik was educated in Ljubljana, Graz and Vienna where he studied under Otto Wagner. Plečnik believed in the noble mission of the architect and its ethical function. He believed today’s architecture must emerge from the architecture of the past. He considered traditional heritage not as a restriction, but rather as an inexhaustible source of creativity. Despite the fact that he was working during the period of the great modernism movement, he rarely made any comments about happenings on the architectural scene. 'As I contemplate these modern trends, I have a feeling that we, in Europe, are lost. Le Corbusier, for example, seems to negate architecture. For him, it is a social means, a tool he uses to help man. It is a sign of the law of the commandments: love thy neighbour. And in this respect it certainly is beautiful, the most beautiful thing in the world. In my opinion the only solution for Europe is in the house, in the house given over to the family. Yet on the other hand, arcus, architecture, signifies something which binds us with the highest. It is like a rainbow linking this life with what is beyond ....' (Jože Plečnik).

The National and University Library (NUK) was built to his plans between 1935 and 1940. The building is a four-story four-wing structure shaped like an irregular rectangle, with two small inner yards. The interior features a number of excellent architectural details, made of marble, bronze or wood. Another important project was his Summer festival venue at Križanke.

The Architecture Museum of Ljubljana located at Fužine Castle houses a permanent display of Jože Plečnik's oeuvres. The museum also manages Plečnik House, the architect's house in the centre of Ljubljana.

See also the virtual museum Plečnik.net.