One of my earlier projects was a proposition for renovation of main public square in Parenzo. I completed it as a student in a workshop under mentorship of arch. Vojteh Ravnikar in year 2007.
Parenzo is a very old town in Istria, Croatia. Rich in its cultural heritage and surrounded with sea and beaches it is a tourist magnet in summer. Old town is situated on a peninsula and was built in Roman times with its typical spatial organization around two main axis, Cardo and Decumano, two main streets. First one running from South to North, the other from East to West, creating a spatial grid on which all the buildings gravitate. Crossroad of this two streets is a point where the main public square is situated.
Project proposed to redefine public square by arranging four towers, dressed in local stone and connecting them with roof platforms creating deep shadow pools in much needed hot summers for shops and bars. Other functions of new square constitute of a gallery, lapidarium and library. Inbetween the towers and horizontal platforms naturally sprout small public spaces suitable for night life (concerts, exhibitions, events, ...) of a busy tourist city of Parenzo.
Situation, section and plans for proposed renovation of the square.
Duallity of strong volumes of stone towers against horizontal platforms.
