Improvements to the neighbourhood
In order to make the area of the Park Kneževa block completely green and visually uniform, energy renewal and renovation of 4 neglected neighbouring buildings was carried out as part of the project. Additionally, a large 50 m long and 12 m high self-standing structure was built towards the neglected area bordering the plot, with a net through which creeping plants were allowed to grow – making that view turn green as well.
Residential lobbies
Entrance lobbies in each of the buildings are the tenants' first contact with the interior. That is why they are designed to give the impression of a living space with atmosphere and warmth. In each of the lobbies there is a mural by a renowned Croatian artist.
Art
The site-specific artistic interventions were carried out in cooperation with the dean of the Academy of Fine Arts of the University of Zagreb, who selected the artists and their works for Park Kneževa. Artists painted murals in the entrance lobbies in Park Kneževa, creating unique entrance areas.
Selected artists who created artistic murals at the location are: Jelena Bando, Tomislav Buntak, Fedor Fischer, Danko Frišćić, Matko Vekić, Zlatan Vrkljan.
Kindergarten
One of additional contents in the block is a day nursery/kindergarten, a separate freestanding pavilion built entirely of wood. The entire load-bearing structure is wooden — the walls are a system of wooden columns filled with slats, the ceilings are made of wooden panels on load-bearing wooden laminated beams. The facade is made of ventilated wooden cladding. All openings, windows and doors are also wooden. The roof features a series of planters designed for planting fruits and vegetables.
Children's playground
The children's playground in Park Kneževa is also open for children of all residents in the city. Play equipment encourages creativity - there are no slides and swings on the playground, but there are body balance devices, an abacus, boards with numbers and letters, and there are painted lines and shapes for games on the ground.
Greenery
The public passage through the block is a new green landscape that maximizes green areas with transitions between public, semi-public and private zones with gradual shifts from lawns, to low greenery and to tall trees. The abundance of plants in the environment, on green roofs and numerous planters on the building façade, with an irrigation and drainage system, provides a special view and experience. The plants, which are considered part of the project and the facade, are taken care of by the building's joint maintenance services in order to keep them in their best condition throughout the lifetime of the building. The greenery on the facades and roofs of buildings contributes to a more pleasant microclimate, helps in the fight against climate warming and reduces the occurrence of the so-called thermal islands. In the summer, excessive heating of the walls is prevented, and evergreen climbers act as insulation in the winter months and reduce heating costs. Trees and greenery collect dust particles and bind carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. A total of 57,000 seedlings of different plants were planted throughout the project.
Signage and wayfinding design
The wayfinding and signage system followed the overall visual identity of the project and was meticulously designed in the rigor of "total-design". Custom-designed typography and distinct design solutions created a unique and visually consistent environment, contributing to the Park Kneževa overall recognizability. The project was led and conceptualized by accomplished designer Lana Cavar and her team.
Team:
Architects: 3LHD
Project team 3LHD: Saša Begović, Marko Dabrović, Tatjana Grozdanić Begović, Silvije Novak, Paula Kukuljica, Zoran Šuša, Goran Mraović, Ana Mikelić, Jure Živković, Filip Tomaško, Ivona Šimunović, Nicky Vojvodić, Zrinka Vrkić, Vesna Jelušić, Sofija Vrtarić, Luka Cindrić, Ana Bjelić, Sanja Jasika Lovrić, Mia Andrašević, Vibor Granić, Dominik Žuvela, Dalia Colić, Marijana Pivac, Daša Manojlović, Josip Babec Šuša, Lorena Jelinek
Project team VMD Model: Majda Vidović, Nina Sarić Zubović, Iva Đaković Margan, Vedran Roljić
Project team collaborators: Marko Zeko, Matija Kokot, Tomislav Šolto (Arhimetrik)
Illustration (competition stage): Ida Ister
Artistic murals (lobby): Jelena Bando, Tomislav Buntak, Fedor Fischer, Danko Frišćić, Matko Vekić, Zlatan Vrkljan
Signage and environmental graphics design: Lana Cavar, Narcisa Vukojević, Hrvoje Živčić
Structural Engineering: Juraj Pojatina, David Anđić (Studio Arhing)
Electrical Engineering: Branko Knežević (ATP projektiranje)
HVAC: Ana Islamović (ATP arhitekti inženjeri)
Plumbing and drainage: Ana Islamović (ATP arhitekti inženjeri)
Fire protection project: Maksim Carević, Josip Radeljić (Inspekting d.o.o.)
Traffic Planning Project: Boris Leović (C5 KONCEPT)
Landscape Design: Nataša Tiška Vrsalović (DIONAEA-VRTOVI)
Irrigation project: Damir Čizmek (IN-AQUA d.o.o.)
Building Physics, Details: Mateo Biluš (AKFZ studio d.o.o.)
Sprinkler installation: Mladen Vujnović (Aling d.o.o.)
Bill of Quantities: Lucija Ivas (FOREL projekt)
Foundation Pit Protection: Živko Mihovilović (Grasa)
Geodetic survey: Ante Knez (KNEZ INVEST)
Main contractor: Team Građenje
Blacksmith (block entrance doors): Franjo Vinković
Site supervision: VMD Grupa (Bruno Cividini)
Photography: Jure Živković
Materials Used:
Warema
Wicoma
Sapa
Tonality
Assa Abloy
AGC Glass Europe
Franjo Vinković
PROMAT
Eco
Kolnoa
Kone
Weitzer Parkett
Florim Stonetech Stone
Fondovale
Rigips
Beton Lučko
Laufen
Arblu Otto
Axor
VOGEL&NOOT
SIEMENS
Jung
Illuxtro
Securitas