Miris Garden: Walkable Modern Village

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture, Belgrade, Serbia

Project idea

The main concept of the project separates two areas of different characteristics, and at the same time, it's connecting them with directions that offer special qualities and environments. The upper layer is intended for temporary guests who do not stay at the location, as well as for employed persons (including working students). The lower layer has a different character, and it presents a real resort that is intended for the target group of visitors who vacation at the location (along with yachting tourists).

Project description

The main stretch divides the site into a segment with a temporary stop, a commercial center, accommodation units for employees, a hotel and a parking area where motor vehicles are left. On the other hand, the area below the border line is characterized by a quieter and more peaceful area for visitors who are looking for a quiet and pleasant refuge with a pleasent sea contact. Also, connecting directions, that are based on pedestrian procedural routes, between the coast and the main road, represent the most efficient routes and unified interactive public spaces for visitors.

The new proposal offers the main quality in the form of not disturbing the landscape. It gives primacy to the location and its identity. As a support, the architecture serves its multiple modern spaces, and in return it does not pollute and aciheves a synthesis with the soil.

The identity of the location is characterized by a specific tropical Mediterranean climate with a small amount of precipitation. The vegetation is dry and the culture of olive cultivation predominates. The local community is engaged in tourism, shepherding, agriculture and other activities. The terrain is rocky, with a large drop from the nearby Velebit massif. Special attention is drawn to the dry stone wall, which is extremely characteristic of the area and which is partially accompanied by archaeological findings near the location. The area is very suitable for hiking in winter, while in summer it is a tourist destination for yachting enthusiasts.

Technical information

The hotel is a symbol of the resort due to its appearance and visual identity. It is designed as a structure that includes a large number of programs - in a safe and strong - yet elegant way. The concept is based on the idea that the ground level is actually the highest floor of the building, which is not the traditional way of building a hotel. After that, the levels below are rooms and common areas that connect the entire community as a whole. The post and beam structure is made of steel and is very sustainable and safe. By extending the supports to 12m, an opportunity is offered for comfortable zoning of rooms with terraces and amenities that extend through the building.

The villas have an appearance which is conditioned by the analysis of the terrain and its morphology. The main motif is a slab that practically falls down the hilly ground - in an interesting way, the house thus gets three main units. Therefore, the villas dont touch the ground directly - but instead only the pillars make a contact with the rocky terrain.

Additionally, a very flexible and multifunctional structure has been designed next to the marina. The buildings technical aspect offers a huge space for celebrations, rest and joint activities of tourists as well as natives.

The commercial center occupies the largest area in the entire location, but in a subtle way it achieves a synthesis with the ground and thus does not disturb the identity of the place. The special quality of this facility is the possibility to go to the roof from which you can see the Dalmatian coast and the sunset in the evening.

Zones