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SALESIAN CENTER IN CELJE
 
 

location: Celje
area: 9.000 m2
client: Salezijanski dom v Gaberju, Celje
/invited competition/
type: public, housing
status: concept
year of competition: 2001

 
   
 

The design comprises a multifunctional complex, where religious, educational, residential and sports programs are connected into a single spatial whole. The project creates a clearly legible space that guides the user through a sequence of open environments, squares, paths and green areas. The complex is not designed as a collection of individual buildings, but as a connected urban system, where individual buildings determine the character of public spaces with their location.
The main spatial core is represented by the entrance square between the church and the oratory, which acts as a central meeting point. From here, the main program axis develops, connecting all parts of the complex and creating a sense of connection between the eastern and western parts of the area. The architecture follows the principle of a gradual transition between public, semi-public and private space, where the boundaries are not achieved by closing, but are formed by the volumes of the buildings themselves.
An important emphasis of the project is the volume division. The buildings of the rectory, oratory and kindergarten are designed as elongated, calm volumes that form the edges of the squares and paths. On the contrary, the church represents a spatial dominant – an independent and distinct architectural element that creates a special sacred atmosphere with its shape and light. The interior of the church is designed as a unified, almost sculptural space, where natural light becomes the main architectural element and emphasizes the feeling of peace and spirituality.
The architectural design of the individual buildings stems from a common design language. The facades are simple and calm, with clear geometric features, structured surfaces and an emphasis on materiality. Greenery, terraces and external surfaces are not an addition, but an integral part of the architecture, as they help connect the buildings with the environment. Special attention is also paid to light, acoustics and the quality of the interior ambiences.
The sports hall and public programs next to it are positioned so that the larger volume does not dominate the whole. The hall opens mainly towards recreational areas, while towards the street it is complemented by smaller public buildings that create a more human scale of space. The entire complex thus unites different users and activities and creates an open, flexible and sustainably designed environment.

The project won third prize (shared with architect Boris Podrecca) in an invited competition. First prize was not awarded.

 

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