Children and Women Protection Centre


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Year: 2006
Location: Zagreb
Built according to the design that won first prize at the competition by invitation
Authors: Vesna Mikiæ, Ph.D.,Arch.Eng., Zorana Protiæ, B.Sc. (arch.), Damir Petric, B.Sc. (arch.)

The building of the Centre was erected linearly in relation to the land plot, respecting its morphology. This solution divided the plot into two zones, one in the south, and the other in the north. The southern side of the plot was carefully arranged in terms of horticulture, with a playground for children, a sand-pit and various play items. The narrow northern area serves as a linear driveway.

The newly built structure accentuates the linearity of the predetermined situation with a low one-storey functional construction that ensures a pleasant living area for some forty persons.

The idea was to design a structure within two rings: one on the plot itself (solid steel grid) extending in height up to the ground floor, with dense greenery and climbing roses; and another ring that directly embraces the structure (corrugated polycarbonate). The second ring is of pre-programmed width. In the direction of south and east, the ring creates a minimal gallery with the roses planted at places. On the first level on the northern side, the ring creates a continual gallery with two blocks of kitchenettes (intended for socializing, children play, ironing, etc.).

The main entrance is on the eastern side of the structure, along the vehicular corridor of the street, where the entrance atrium is created within the second ring. At the same time, it is an open area that integrates and controls all entrances. Next to it there is a semi-public area with seven parking places for employees. The entrance for vehicles is also on the eastern side along the ground-floor section that consists of a kitchen, technical service, and economy.

The building extends in the east-west direction, thus ensuring maximum sunlight and also privacy for the rooms grouped on the first level in small quarters around four atriums.

The transparent ground floor with commonly used spaces (living-rooms, a dining room, and a playroom for children) occupies the space through two levels via the atrium, and becomes imbued with the external garden greenery. The commonly used space on the ground floor extends to the space reserved for therapeutical purposes, which ensures permanent contact with and care for the Centre users. Service space and management are located next to the commonly used space on the ground floor on the northern side (next to the main entrance).

Bearing construction and treatment of surfaces
The bearing construction of the building is a combination of reinforced-concrete system of bearing walls and plates, and reinforced-concrete skeletal system of columns and beams. The height of the walls in the common space is 320 cm (their constructive height is 350 cm), the same as the height of the walls on the first level consisting of
dormitories. The project includes two elevators, one for disabled persons, and a smaller, regular elevator. Each room has its own sanitary facilities, southern exposure, and a direct exit to an external, private terrace.

In the final treatment the walls were coated with dark plaster, while the entire building is enveloped in an opaque coating made of curved polycarbonate on a steel sub-construction. The purpose of the coating is to provide protection from sunlight, and to protect the primary areas of the Centre with the accompanying transitional spaces. At the same time, it is a holder of the climbing greenery and white roses that create special atmosphere, both in accommodating and common units.

The windows and doors are made of aluminium locksmithing ware of dark colour corresponding to that of the façade.  The building is equipped with central heating and a boiler room located at the ground level in the managerial area.

The floor on the ground level is made of warm cast material and gravelled surfaces. The rooms on the first level are coated with wooden boards so as to create a warm and intimate atmosphere of the living space (first-floor gallery and bathrooms designed in cast material).

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