On the southern slope of the protected core of Visnjan, from which opens a wide view of the valley, there is a social centre of the Italian Community. Visnjan is a typical Istrian town, situated on top of a hill. Circular medieval urban structure of Visnjan is not as strict as in the nearby Motovun, but the view of the city is part of the identity that was important to preserve. Community centre is a relatively small structure, with the gross total area of no more than 400 m2, the simple spatial concepts and a defined programme appropriate to the magnitude and importance of the local community. The ground floor has a public function and includes a porch loggia, hall and a coffee shop with associated toilets, and the floor is designed for targeted areas in the service of the Italian Community.
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Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
The building is lowered in relation to the access road, in order to preserve the image of the city. Instead of the frequent use of local and traditional architectural forms such as, stone window frames, porches, and cornices, we choose to reinterpret the urban element of a loggia, thus corresponding to the particular context by content, not form. We are trying to revive the life of a small town of approximately 700 inhabitants by creating a space that will encourage social contact. The porch, placed on the south edge of the building, protected from the seaward north wind and open to the view of the valley, thus becomes the central area – the area of social interaction – by taking on the role of “a loggia”, which is a typological peculiarity of Istrian towns.
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Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
The City Loggia, as a place of public life and the community, is just one example of a generic urban form in which lies a latent potential for the cultural sustainability of Visnjan. This architectural element that connects all the internal spaces of the Italian Community is also the link that places the building in the default context of the old town.” And while traditional loggia, in a situation where it rests on the building, is separated from the interior space by a solid wall where holes are traditional sizes, this loggia is interpreted in a modern way. The link between the inner and outer space is a glass wall, full height two floors. Thus, the physical barrier seemingly disappears and the view of loggia and hall is provided.
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Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Although the design is based on tradition, especially through the valorization of the environment, in the use of materials and its application, we can also observe the respect for the context (wooden shutters, plastered facade …). Simple processing of surfaces and clear and unpretentious details are entirely in the service of reflecting a modern concept that fits perfectly in the environment in which it is created. “To see and be seen” is the motto of many urban areas. When, as in this case, the porch is actually the City Loggia, the house itself is the whole small town. This distinctive building was designed and built by a community that wanted to design a space for meeting and socializing for its members, and for all citizens.
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Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
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Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
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Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Urbis 72. Published on June 18, 2013.