REVITALISATION OF THE OLD GLASSWORKS SQUARE AND VRAZ SQUARE WITH THE ADJACENT STREETS

LOCATION
Ptuj, Slovenija

COMPETITION YEAR
January 2020

ARCHITECTURE OFFICE
Ravnikar - Potokar arhitekturni biro d.o.o.

ARCHITECTURE
Robert Potokar, Tina Gradišer, Mateja Šetina

COLLABORATORS
Tanja Košuta, Mina Gutović

PRIZE
2nd Prize

The sensitive urban context of the competition site, located in the immediate vicinity of Ptuj’s historic city centre, represents at once a forgotten fragment of the historic city and a place that, in the collective perception of both residents and visitors, remains somewhat detached from the everyday life of the city. The renovation of the Old Glassworks rescues its deteriorating structures from inevitable decay while preserving their established purpose, which has remained unchanged for the past twenty-five years. Today, the complex represents a key centre for amateur and community-based cultural activity in Ptuj.

The new interventions do not compete with or overpower the existing structures; rather, they restore them and, where necessary, introduce carefully considered functional upgrades. The insertion of two new building volumes, which interpret rather than exceed the identity and scale of the existing built fabric, is conceived in a subtle yet distinctly present manner.

The character of the new volumes draws upon the industrial and technical heritage of the site, expressed through the use of steel as their primary structural system. This choice further reinforces the workshop-like character of these parts of the complex. The renovation concept is founded on the principle that everything new should remain legible as new: inserted into the existing fabric as a lightweight, prefabricated and modular structural system, with façade panels positioned between its elements.

Depending on the programme behind them, the façade panels are either perforated or solid, while in selected locations they can be opened and folded towards the inner courtyard. The roofs of the newly inserted volumes are clad with tiles resembling traditional bobrovec roof tiles, preferably executed in Corten steel. Although contemporary in material expression, they retain the dimensions and texture of the traditional tiles. This deliberate dialogue between old and new makes the distinction between the two layers of the complex clearly legible, while allowing the architecture to retain a unified overall appearance and respect the existing character of the site.

Through a carefully considered transformation of levels and a precise functional organisation of the new programme, the gradual, organically evolved character of the existing structures is preserved. The individual buildings are neither unified nor artificially consolidated; instead, their distinct identities and spatial relationships remain intact.

The renovated Old Glassworks is accessed from the courtyard at two different levels. The courtyard is articulated by amphitheatrical steps that function simultaneously as seating terraces. During the warmer months, they become an informal gathering space from which visitors can observe performances taking place either in the large or the small hall.

The courtyard is organised across two levels. The lower, entrance level is connected to the double-height entrance foyer and to the outdoor stage of the new large hall. The upper level provides access to the double-height entrance and foyer of the small hall. Along the street edge, the steps are defined by a low wall that serves simultaneously as a spatial boundary, a reminder of the wall of the former house, and an informal seat incorporating a commemorative plaque.

Universal accessibility to all visitor areas is ensured by a lift. The courtyard of the Old Glassworks and the adjacent Prečna Street are paved with traditional cobblestones (mačje glave). A new linden tree is introduced as a further spatial anchor, giving the courtyard a more defined character while recalling the memory of a former tree that once occupied the site.

Jadranska Street and Tomaža Šalamuna Street are paved with small-format tonalite setts, arranged in a double-wave pattern, or crescent-like configuration. The use of reclaimed or weathered-tonality setts creates subtle tonal variations, with the lighter stones defining and emphasising the wave pattern. A continuous drainage channel is integrated into the centre of both streets, incorporating grates for the collection and drainage of rainwater.

The junction between the paving and the buildings is discreetly articulated by a two-set-wide tonalite border. Gently sloping ramps provide accessibility for people with reduced mobility, with the necessary assistance where required. Along the northern section of Tomaža Šalamuna Street, two benches are introduced together with a commemorative element dedicated to Tomaž Šalamun and the greening of the adjacent wall.

As the site forms part of the historic city centre, the paving strategy for Vrazov trg likewise employs larger-format tonalite setts, ensuring that the square retains an intimate rather than monumental character. The paving continues the double-wave motif of Jadranska Street, transforming it into a broader undulating pattern reminiscent of the paving of Mestni trg. Here, the tonalite setts are larger in format.

The paving is conceived as a continuous and unified surface, without the contrasting white wave pattern. This allows the square to operate as a flexible urban platform capable of accommodating a wide range of uses, as demonstrated by the accompanying spatial-use scenarios. The urban furniture is selected from the existing catalogue of the Municipality of Ptuj. Additional elements include a new bench with a drinking fountain and a seating element integrated into the low wall along the courtyard of the Old Glassworks.