Designed by Enota, their just completed Traffic Circle in Podčetrtek marks the entrance to the dark monolithic volume of the municipal sports hall on one and the thermal spa complex on the other side of the regional road. With a primary intent to slow down the traffic in this consequently very busy area, the main accesses to both complexes also connect to the traffic circle. Its design also suggests a tectonic shift that has caused the road surface to bloat and belched out the massive blocks. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The design of the roundabout’s central island thus references the appearance of both facilities and marks the entrance points to the destinations of the visitors to either of the program centers. In combination with the water, which sporadically rises to the surface between the clefts, it is somewhat reminiscent of geyser-strewn basalt strata, its appearance thus evoking the presence of both nearby facilities.
The large, dark concrete blocks allude to the design the monolithic volume of the sports hall. The play of light on the irregular arrangement of the elements forms a composition of surfaces, which corresponds to the expression of the hall’s folded volume.
Architects: Enota Location: Podčetrtek, Slovenia Project Team: Dean Lah, Milan Tomac, Alja Černe, Tjaž Bauer Client: Terme Olimia Type: Commission Size: 380 m2 Budget: 33.000 EUR Project Year: Completed 2012
