2007

National competition entry

The proposed public building – highly challenging despite its scale – takes its character from the region’s distinctive qualities. It is located in a newly-formed settlement whose population and economic activity are steadily growing. The large-sized plot, situated in a sloping and sprawling area, offers great potential with regard to the outdoor space, providing interesting visual dynamics. The design focuses on three major elements: 1. the man-made landscape, 2. the introverted building that hovers over a part of the ground, 3. the in-between void. The offices are located on the first floor, which is the introverted part of the proposal.

The ground is designed in such a way that it creates a succession of three squares, sheltered under the hovering office space: 1. the northern one, which serves as the municipality’s main square and which can host major events, 2. the closed one, which houses the more public functions of the building, 3. the southern one, which serves as an outdoor space for the building’s cultural activities. The plan places the usual public functions, i.e. reception, citizen services, city council hall, multi-purpose room, etc., along a ‘promenade, under the closed office space.

The composition is emphasized by the use of two distinct types of walls-boundaries: a hard boundary, made of concrete, encompasses the closed office space, while a soft, transparent boundary consisting of a curtain wall, encloses the public functions situated in between the three different squares.