The proposal for the Vrbani Business Center by NFO in Zagreb, Croatia aims to solve its inner urbanism within itself and set the guidelines for the development of the surrounding area. They do so through a cube form set on the site while passages carve within the closed volume to emphasize directions from the environment and, at the same time, pull users closer to the internal context of the new structure. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The project site is located in a context of several powerful determinants, the busy road on the north, park and housing development on the southwest and the Adriatic Insurance Company building on the east.
Their design of the black containment volume is broken up and opened to the surroundings. Looked at from a vehicle at the Zagreb Avenue passages create different views on the compact volume allowing viewer a glimpse inside. Light leaks at night create an image that contributes to identity and dynamics of the avenue.
Canyons divide the volume creating the central lobby from which one can review the whole structure of the building. Stretching through all floors there is interconnected continuous circular network of bridges connecting all three volumes and all floors.
Above ground there are 10 floors, lobby on the first floor is surrounded by restaurants and shopping facilities pedestrian and access from three directions. Nine floors above are office spaces that can be organized in various combinations. Separate vertical communications allows independent functioning of each volume.
Architects: NFO Location: Zagreb, Croatia Design Team: Kata Marunica, Nenad Ravnić, Josip Zaninović Client: Tehnomobil Ltd. Project Status: Public competition, 4th prize (November 2011) Area: 35,370 m²
