Josep Lluís Mateo Wins Urban Design Competition in Sibenik, Croatia

The international competition for the reconstruction of the historical center of Sibenik, Croatia has announced Spanish architect Josep Lluís Mateo of MAP Architect as the winner.

This is how Josep Lluís Mateo explains his winning proposal:

The empty space between the islands draws an axis that continues on dry land, on Draga. The location is marked by a geological structure that produces empty and full spaces. We choose to respect, continue and construct it.

We build on the limits of the place. Volumes to either side consolidate the topography. At the far end, following the axis, our buildings construct the street, forming a gateway to the whole. The center is empty public space that receives various treatments, moving gradually from the greater urbanness of the plaza beside the street to the increased presence of nature where the project meets the sea.

This proposal should be seen as a topographical, volumetric strategy for construction on this site. The materiality of the architecture is an open issue.