Project for the reconstruction of Croatian Šibenik by Josep Lluís Mateo

In April of last year, the Barcelona architect Josep Lluís Mateo won the public competition for the reconstruction of the historic center of Šibenik in Croatia.
The open space between the islands creates a composition that continues toward the land, towards Draga. The site is marked by geological arrangements that create empty and filled spaces. We decided to respect this arrangement, to continue it and to create it. We build on the boundary of the land. The newly designed volumes stabilize the topography on both sides. In the end, with the constant observation of the axis, our buildings create a street that serves as the entrance to the entire complex. The center of the whole design represents an open public space that takes on various expressions – gradually transitioning from a larger public square to a natural landscape where the project meets the sea.
The design should be understood as a topographical, volumetric strategy for a different way of building in this place. The material aspect of architecture is an open question.