The Agency for development of Municipality of Herceg Novi in association with the European Chess Union have launched a single stage international competition for the European Chess House in Herceg Novi. ACID Group shared with us their proposal in order to find the best solution for the mixed use development. The program consisted of facilities devoted to promotion and development of chess including a library, museum and tournament halls, and of hotel facilities which include 50 guest rooms, a restaurant and lobby. The site is located on the corner between two streets, on steeply sloping terrain. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The game of chess consists of three phases: chess opening, chess middle-game and chess end-game. The choice of opening defines the disposition of pieces on the board and can be a significant advantage in the course of the game. The opening called slav defense was used as a concept for the disposition of masses.
In this case the queen’s pawn is first to move and his position sets the course of the game. The position of that pawn is the position of the large tournament hall, visually and functionally, and is the most significant space. That hall is treated as an independent floating box, meaning the space of the mind game, where real and virtual worlds meet. The game of chess happens in the head of the players before they move a piece on the board so in a way that floating box is a metaphysical space in the game.
Considering that the site is located between two streets which are on different levels, it was important to create a public space that would serve as a connection. In order to create inviting and flexible public space, the building is divided into two volumes, one is in the ground and the other one is floating above the ground. Public space is between them, consisting of a number of covered and open spaces on different levels. Volumes of the building shade open spaces protecting them from the Mediterranean sun.
Programs opened to the public such as the museum, library, tournament hall and restaurant are accessible from the lobby area as well as directly from the public space. Hotel units are placed on the upper floors and they are faced towards the south and the sea.
Architect: ACID Group Location: Herceg Novi ,Montenegro Project Team: Milica Andjelkovic, Relja Sretenovic, Sasa Ratkovic, Milan Bojanic Project Area: 6,900 sqm Competition Year: 2010
