sea stone

Project idea

The competition assigned the task topic, designing a tourist complex in the immediate vicinity of Starigrad, a Croatian village near Zadar.
After a detailed analysis of the broader context of the location, it is possible to learn about all aspects that play a major role in the design and approach to the urbanization of the locality itself. Important information related to the location is highlighted, the given location is protected by law and therefore there are strict rules that dictate that the complex itself does not damage the physical structure of the land and that the boundaries of the complex do not exceed the given construction limits. This is important to note because all these factors clearly state that thinking about the way of designing is guided by the fact that all the mentioned rules are respected and that the structure implemented in this way in the form of a tourist complex is harmoniously connected with the location, the configuration of the terrain, and the way of building buildings in in the immediate vicinity of the complex, i.e. Architecture of Starigrad.
As all these parameters are established, it is the turn of the initial ideas, sketches and approaches to the design of future buildings. The first phase and the initial idea was to run paths and stairs through the entire complex that would physically connect the main road and the coast. The idea seemed interesting and offered an open approach to the implementation of these elements of communication. The desire to protect the terrain and to avoid digging it led to the fact that, in particular, the villas were given stone pedestals raised above the elevation of the terrain. In this way, new surfaces were created which, with their materialization, do not disturb the narrower context of the location. The created pedestals offer paths to permeate through them and thus create new spatial environments. The second phase is the urban approach and the positioning of typical units on plots. The pedestals are placed to have direct contact with the street. Due to the very topography of the terrain, this approach facilitates access to the typical units. The third phase of the design was to make the best use of the topography of the terrain and design the future promenade with the marina and additional content around it.

Project description

The development of the idea led to changes such as the typology of the units, the positions of the stairs and their displacement from the pedestals. The chosen typology of the future units leads to the solution that all the units, ie villas, are physically separated, and with such a procedure, they create a public space where a staircase for access to the promenade and the coast would be formed.
The pedestals, whose role is to physically separate the villas from the existing configuration of the terrain, would consist of the same type of soil material found on the site (stone, sand and earth). This procedure changes the configuration of the terrain, but not the context of the material on it. As the location is enriched with low greenery to a large extent, the same greenery would be preserved and together with the pedestal would form a unique whole.
Villas designed on the aforementioned pedestals would be built in a modernist style with a combination of contemporary architecture. With its structure, it is foreseen that the units consist of 3 levels (basement, ground floor and first floor).
The idea of a basement appearing in the project is imposed by the pedestal structure, which offers additional space and thus creates an interesting form and spatial form of the villa. Namely, the basement would be a resting area and a natural protection from the not-so-pleasant heat of the sun. The main source of light would reach the basement through the atrium that occupies the central part of the villa. There are terraces emerging from the pedestal offering additional space for rest, sunbathing and other types of hedonism.
The ground floor is directly connected to the courtyard, at the base of which is the swimming pool. The rooms on the ground floor would consist of a living room, a kitchen with a dining table, a toilet and a bedroom with a bathroom. Upstairs there are three bedrooms with bathrooms and terraces. The corridor is used as a rest area.
The public space, i.e. the promenade with the marina, is designed and made of leveled slabs with ramps for movement and smaller green areas. The structure of the mentioned elements would follow the terrain configuration, creating a dynamic form.
Within the marina, there would be facilities intended for commercial purposes such as cafes and restaurants.

Technical information

The physical structure of the units creates a stepped form with protruding terraces and an atrium that allows for natural lighting. The intended construction of the units is a reinforced concrete construction. Green roofs make it possible to reduce the internal temperature in the building. A concrete fence provides both physical and visual protection and creates a sense of privacy.
Application of materials on the walkway
The walkway would consist of two layers of material. The first layer would consist of reinforced concrete slabs, while over them would be slabs made of pressed concrete with a stone structure. There are also ramps on the promenade to facilitate movement and access to the beach.
The marina and the plateau in front of it would be made of the same material. The buildings around the plateau are made of reinforced concrete construction with window openings, while their common roof is transformed into a green roof with paths and space for a viewpoint.