A special retreat for artists: Architects design artist-resorts in Croatia to foster artists' creative process

Art has been defined and redefined as per every individual's perception. Across the world, art, in general, has been regarded as a very broad phenomenon, comprising various different art forms and their varied ways of expression. 

It has been said that art is the nearest we can ever go to magic. For art is as simple and as complicated as we make it to be. It's more about our perception of it than what it actually is. There are a thousand ways how we can romanticize and explain the art forms and the way it has shaped us across decades. It remains one of the most fascinating and enchanting cultural and public elements around the world; irrespective of the mode or medium of its practice. It never fails to awe the observer. 

Generally what seems like strokes of brush and paints on the canvas hold a large meaning behind them. 

There is a large part in art and the art world that seems too far and different to be understood by everyone. 

As mystic as the description about the art seems. The same carries forward towards the ones that hold the capacity to create it. The ones who create magic not by a wand but by the paintbrush in their hands. 

Every artist has their own sense of make and creation. Where they need a certain kind of environment for their art to actually be brought on paper and seen. As unique as these both things are, so is the need for the space to be unique that holds the capacity to contain aid. 

A space that not just gives shelter to the artist for their art. But some spaces also aid the process of making art by provisions that are refreshing, inspiring, free, and creative enough to provide the artist with the right environment. 

The influence of space can be directly observed in the process of creating and art created. 

How can architecture address/reflect this abstract sense of creativity and create a solution which aids the artist?

How can an artist-specific design aid the process of creation?

Can architectural intervention help in the physiological and psychological well be of the same? Can this intervention not only aid individual artists but also artists as a community?

Brief: The aim of this challenge was to create a cottage resort for the artists, which could serve as a space to aid and support the artist’s art creation process.

The resort design will act as a getaway space for the artists for their vacations and will function specific to this focus group, offering a design that aids the artist's needs. Artists' visual art is considered to be the main focus group of this challenge. 

Space has to be the one where the artist is able to create his art, relax and enjoy the context and scenic beauty around it. As well as being able to interact with fellow artists while still being able to reside privately in their own space.

 

The jury for the competition consisted of esteemed designers, professionals, and academicians from around the world. The Lead Jurors for the competitions were as follows: 

Vedran Pedisic, Lead Architect / Co-founder, SANGRAD+AVP, Croatia

Erick Velasco Farrera, Lead Architect / Co-founder, SANGRAD+AVP, Croatia

Davor Matekoivc, Principal Architect, PROARH, Croatia

Branka Juras, Architect/Owner, Architectural Design Studio Branka Juras, Croatia

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Some of the Best competition projects are as follows:

Winning Project: K(art)zuni

By: Dino Špadina

 ^{Fig: 1 Spaces for community} 

Description: A modern resort inspired by a precious piece of Istria's architectural heritage. The basic accommodation unit is a reinterpretation of one of the oldest Istrian archetypes - Kazuna, made in a modern way so that it supports the target group - painters. The whole resort is organized in a way that vibrant space encourages the creativity of guests.

Jury Comment: 1- The idea of the unit which is architectural heritage is a good space for the target group. K(art)Zuni is a place where I can see that artists can work and be creative. Great idea! 

2- This project has captured the heritage elements and interpreted it in a successful way. The minimalist approach and recognizable form show understanding of the location and tradition but also the need for a contemporary expression. 

3- The idea is quite interesting and unique in the sense that the team’s foundation is the recycling of the Kažun (a one-room, dry stone structure-specific from the Istrian region). The composition and presentation are easy to understand and give a strong and believable impression of what this artistic community would look like in this part of Croatia. Perhaps the use of in-situ concrete for the façade could have been better by using local stone instead, but that is just a minor issue.

Very good interpretation of the new use of the cottage has been achieved and the overall site layout plan is a random system that in this case works as a form of art itself. Each “kažun” is isolated yet shares space with other units without compromising its personal space for the artist to concentrate and conceal within its walls for art creation.

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People’s Choice: MOSAICA OF THE ARCH (ARTILLA)

By: Nattakorn Bunyoprakarn

^{Fig: 2 Interior design, function and floor plan}

Description: The resort for the Artist is that we use "Mosaic" and "Arch form" as main design tools to achieve the goal that gave the Artist inspiration to create their works. Planning and zoning concepts is from the village in Croatia that city plan using a grid line and also have an open space for to communicate and can do an activity together however we use this planning concept to respond to the cultural context of Croatia.

Jury Comment: 1- Elaborated design but somewhat not on the point with inspiration and use of chosen traditional elements.

2- The idea seems interesting in the sense that the team wants to recall the "feeling" of an old Croatian seaside town; in this case, they are using Dubrovnik as a model. I think that as an idea, it could work and has at the very minimum, a desire to link itself to Croatia's urban and cultural heritage. The sense of community is interesting, having this recreation of an old town with vaults and arches (which honestly I don't see that often in Croatia, except perhaps for churches, but nevertheless is quite charming) and narrow streets to protect from sun insulation. All in all, it is a solid design, although, with several issues, it captures an essence that artists would enjoy.

Also, a minor issue: I know that the team is not a native English speaker, but it would help to at least auto-correct the text since some parts are a bit difficult to understand.

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Editor’s Choice: The Artist Resort

By: Mobina Mohseni

^{Fig: 3 Site Plan and hall interior}

Description: Croatia was an important center for art and architecture in Southeast Europe in the early middle ages. The Croatian, is a type of interlace, the most characteristic for its three-ribbon pattern. It is one of the most often used patterns of pre-romanesque Croatian art. It is found on and within churches as well as monasteries built in the early medieval kingdom of Croatian between of 9th and beginning of the 12th century.

Jury Comment: 1- Quite elaborated and well-presented project but without strong identity and correlations with the location.

2- The concept of using the traditional interlace work signals an approach that wants to fusion functionality and Croatian ornamental and handcraft design, which is an interesting idea to kick off. The issue is that perhaps it is being a bit too forced and perhaps the spaces don’t quite communicate or relate. For example, the clusters of cottages don’t really provide that sense of solitude and relaxation being too close to each other, begging the question of how artists will aspire for inspiration within a dense layout. However, the intent is quite unique and the proposal has potential. Finally, the design should exploit the natural resources like riverbank on the southern plot limit perhaps a bit more.

                             

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