During the previous several years the popularity of this active specialised tourism has been increasingly growing and consequently proximity to nature and availability of sports and recreation, as well as other activities, define the differences among tourist offers.
The idea to implement accommodation complex on the coastline of Soča river has risen from the natural and ambiental values of the area, as well as proximity of different activities.
Architects: Matea Paćelat and Ani Pijevac
University: University of Trieste, Department of Architecture
Location: Solkan, Slovenia
Status: Project
The project is situated in town Solkan in Slovenia along the Slovenian-Italian border. The area is known for the turquoise-green colours, steep slopes, woods and water. Besides for the remarkable nature of Goriška Brda, the hereby mentioned location is also popular for its water sports activities. Soča sports centre has organised world and European championships in wild water kayaking and canoeing, and in the proximity of the designated area there are numerous extreme sports activities, such as bungee jumping, free climbing, rafting, mountain biking and river boarding. Since all available activities are very popular among tourists, planning the lodging units is a logical sequence to these projects, with the prospect of using new capacities for accommodation of competitors.
CONCEPT: While developing the project the main goal was to develop economic status of the region while maintaining natural landmarks in order to preserve the natural and ambiental identity of the whole area. Therefore, the project has been planned to implement accommodation units in the natural landscape.
The framework of the project is to create lodging units in terms of separate accommodation units on the right side of Soča river and the bridge which connects the two shores and becomes spectators’ auditorium for water sports. On the roof of existing structure of the sports centre is built a restaurant unit, while the whole project of reconstruction of the building includes the project of new façade for the whole volume so it is better imbedded into natural environment.
The priority of the project are accommodation units organised into 5 North-South oriented clusters. The project has suggested 3 bungalow types differing in shape and capacity (2 or 4 beds), river oriented in order to offer the view of the water and, at the same time, preserve the visitor’s privacy.
Clusters are sequences one after other along the hillside, each with access to a road with parking spaces for the visitors. Each cluster has forest paths leading to every accommodation unit. At the very bottom of the cluster, on the river shore, there is a wellness bungalow comprised of 3 volumes and sauna, massage room as well as meditation room.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND MATERIALITY:
The architectural design of bungalows matches the local ambient and materiality of the woods. Since the terrain is marked with steep slope, trying to intervene in the natural landscape as little as possible, each bungalow grows out of ground in such way that its supporting structure is placed on glulam columns. The compatibility with the nature has been emphasised through the usage of natural local materials, larch wood, which has been used to create all bungalow facades in such way it unifies the interior and exterior.
The nature has been emphasised through the glass surfaces on the facades. The visitor has chosen the woods, and it is therefore constantly present inside the bungalows through wide panoramas. The height of the object is determined by the local vegetation in such ways that the windows peek out beneath the treetops.
The relationship between the enclosed and open space is accentuated through the terraces, emphasised horizontal surfaces, designated for relaxation and meditation in harmony with the nature.
The characteristic elements of the units are their roofs which shadow the terrain morphology.
This bungalow project has been planned as minimal lodging in the woods which allows the visitor entirely connect with the nature and relax through visual, tactile, scent and movement experience.
The whole accommodation complex of Solkan values the recognised ambiental value and, by offering the specialised tourism and its activities, enables the destination’s further development.