Randić I Suradnici d.o.o.

Veli VRH Elementary School

Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević

VELI VRH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Randic Turato

ARCHITECTS
Saša Randić, Idis Turato

LOCATION
Pula, Croatia

AREA
8535.0 m2

SITES AREA
26,164.5 sqm

CATEGORY
Elementary & Middle School

PROJECT YEAR
2010

PHOTOGRAPHS
Domagoj Blažević, Sandro Lendler, Želimir Gržančić

Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević
Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević

“Veli Vrh” is a Pula suburb with low-density housing dominated by the primary school situated on top of the hill. In February 2008 the school caught fire and was completely burned down, thus creating an unusual void bordering with pine trees in the middle of a typical suburban sprawl.This specific condition of emptiness served as the basis of the design concept.

Veli VRH Elementary School
© Želimir Gržančić
Veli VRH Elementary School
© Želimir Gržančić
Veli VRH Elementary School
© Želimir Gržančić
Veli VRH Elementary School
© Želimir Gržančić

This new primary school project is the winning entry of the competition released soon after the fire, in August 2008. The brief extended the program of the school with the Kindergarten, swimming pool and the Community Center, recognizing the school as the neighborhood’s focal point.

Due to the above-mentioned reason, the project divided the program into separate volumes forming a heterogeneous structure, creating an urban fabric in place of a building.

Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević
Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević

The school is dismantled in its basic elements and re-connected in a new complex.

Individual parts of the school consist of the following premises: classrooms, offices, a library and a gym.

Veli VRH Elementary School
© Sandro Lendler
Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević
Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević
Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević

All the premises are conceived as separate buildings, connected with a longitudinal hall covered with a large canopy.

The Kindergarten and the Community Center are located on the other side, encircling the site.

Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević
Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević

The location of the former school that went up in flames is left as a void space.

This area is a natural amphitheater located in the center of the site, used as a playground and stage for both public and school events.

Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević
Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević
Veli VRH Elementary School
© Domagoj Blažević


Veli VRH Elementary School
south elevation


Veli VRH Elementary School
section
Veli VRH Elementary School
section


Veli VRH Elementary School
ground floor plan
Veli VRH Elementary School
first floor plan
Veli VRH Elementary School
exploded axon

Randić I Suradnici d.o.o.
T +385 1 4839015 F +385 1 4839018
Randić I Suradnici d.o.o.
Palmotićeva ul. 60, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia