project: OBR_ZAGREB Crafts Center
client: City of Zagreb
type: public
location: Zagreb, Croatia
surface: 98500 m2
date: 10.04.2010
status: in progress
project team: AVP_arhitekti, SANGRAD, Arch. Emil Špirić
The project was thought as an introverted island, organized around the central public communications and spaces. The relation of the “island” towards its surroundings is given by the plot’s character: alluvial terrain with 3 of its faces limited by principal traffic arteries and the forth one by a protected water-system zone. Thus, a specific microclimate is generated, a platform that contains all internal communications and spaces which are oriented towards an internal “square” opened towards the northern green surface and Sava river.
The basic and simple geometry of the ZCC parts from the idea of having two main bodies: a horizontal and vertical volumes. The horizontal platform which was divided in several boxes containing the following spaces: Hotel, bank, school, administration spaces and commercial centre. Each one of these boxes are oriented in different ways and also posses diverse qualities (height, openness, etc.), which grouped generate an internal micro ambient within the ZCC. On the other hand, the vertical tower, with a system of free-plan floors, will house the Zagreb city’s office needs, thus becoming an urban reference for its height and configuration (when built will be the tallest tower in Croatia). Below the horizontal platform are located the parking floors (1,115 parking spaces) and workshops for the craft school.