Urania
Basic information
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Project Description
The old Urania cinema is a typical back-building in the block of Kvaternik Square. The reconstruction was planned to convert it into an office space and a cultural center open for the public. One of the main goals of the adaptation was to integrate new cultural spaces into the existing historic fabric and re-open the building to the public. The new Urania houses cultural events – lectures, exhibitions, theatre plays, film projections, workshops, and space for NGOs to organize their events.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
Urania Cinema/Theatre is one of numerous Zagreb’s old cinema buildings from the early 20th century. With the opening of modern multiplex theatres 23 years ago, the old cinemas started to die out, the buildings, neglected and empty, started to deteriorate. Despite its age, Urania had good predispositions to be adapted and reused.
The old Urania cinema is a typical back-building in the block of Kvaternik Square. The project of reconstruction was planned to convert the building into an office space and a cultural center open for the public. Since it was closed for the past 20 years, one of the main goals of the adaptation was to integrate new cultural spaces into the existing historic fabric and re-open the building to the public. The new Urania houses public spaces for various cultural events and a couple of office spaces. A multipurpose hall equipped with multimedia and stands is connected to a café bar with a patio and a roof terrace. It is a new point of social gathering and public activities, as well as a space for numerous events such as educational workshops, presentations, exhibitions, concerts, screenings and the like.
Key objectives for sustainability
During the reconstruction, most of the original structural materials have been retained with minimal intervention - original brick walls, raw plaster, concrete on floors, and ceilings. All new interior equipment is made of three materials - oak for floors and spruce veneer and raw steel for wall cladding and interior finishing’s. The materials’ possibility for recycling was taken into account in the selection process.
The basic load-bearing structure of the building is reinforced concrete and steel construction. Both are materials that allow circular use - full recycling. Concrete is a local building material without a large share of transport in terms of environmental impact.
The thermomechanical system includes a ground source heat pump system for heating, cooling, and preparing hot water. In this way, 4-6 times less electricity consumption compared to conventional systems is achieved. A highly efficient mechanical ventilation system with exhaust air recirculation and filtration achieves a high level of indoor air quality with little heat loss compared to natural ventilation. Also, greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced compared to conventional fossil fuel-based systems. Mechanical ventilation with air-conditioning chambers with heat recovery from the exhaust air (recuperation), achieves great savings in terms of ventilation heat losses. The system is equipped with indoor air quality sensors: CO2 sensors, temperature, and humidity sensors; to achieve economical use and maximum comfort and air quality.
Lighting, use of natural light, and minimizing the noise from the engine room all contribute to the creation of a healthy environment for all of the users and the neighbors in the block.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Although built in 1939, the entire concrete structure of the building was very well preserved with all the supporting pillars, the main arches in the large hall, and all the ceilings. The ceilings are a special example of the first concrete structures with longitudinal repetitive narrow structural ribs from that period. That beautiful example of early concrete engineering technology was worth preserving, restoring, and renovating.
Three of the four original building volumes were kept: the entrance foyer and office building, the big lobby, and the spectacular main double-height cinema hall. The only new addition is the glass pavilion, which originally served as an entrance space.
The cinema hall had a three-nave cross-section with a 9m high central volume and two 3m high side aisles. The biggest challenge was converting this space, without any natural light, into a functional workspace. During the reconstruction, the central volume was divided into two floors. The light was introduced into the ground floor by converting the old cinema halls' side aisles into open atriums. On the first floor, the light was provided through the roof – three-meter-wide skylights were placed on the roof.
In order to ensure the structural integrity of the whole building 12-meter-long steel beams were added to them as supporting beams for the first floor. Additional reinforcements were made by carbon-fibre reinforced plaster.
A large window/glass guillotine was added to the multipurpose hall to flood the space with natural light. Most of the furniture is locally produced and designed by Croatian designers. The ventilation system ensures plenty of fresh air while maintaining pleasant work temperatures. All of the windows, ventilation, and heating is controlled automatically.
All of these solutions create a humane work environment, with plenty of light and fresh air, and a pleasant atmosphere.
Key objectives for inclusion
Urania is envisioned as a home for one’s creative expression, especially for the one who questions oneself, society, and the world. As a space of creation, it considers all of the fields of art and the people who practice it, whether they are accomplished or they still have to be so, the ones who are socially aware and the one’s developing audience awareness through education and the exchange of experience. Urania is an area of open and constant exchange of information, knowledge, and ideas in the field of culture, art, architecture, design, and all creative practice.
With its program approach, there is a big emphasis on promoting excellence in all areas of human impact, accessibility, and demystification of art and culture, pushing the artificial boundaries which stand in-between experts and the public.
The core value of Urania is making a stronger community through integrating a whole variety of creative practices, a co-working of experts and the public, therefore creating a space for new values.
The space is managed by the association Urania, which was founded to achieve a high quality of life in society through direct and indirect effects created by solving various tasks in culture and all creative professions.
Results in relation to category
The Urania was built and opened in 1939. It is located inside one of Zagreb’s’ typical lower town blocks, marked as a unit inside of a protected block. The transformation of this building was done by thorough research, excavation, adding, and connecting spaces that will support communication and exchange between its occupants and the neighboring community.
The project of reconstruction saved the building from being completely destroyed in last year's earthquake that hit Zagreb and damaged a lot of the old buildings in the city center. Thanks to structural reinforcements and adaptation the Urania building was left almost intact.
The dense and compact Zagreb historical core is crying out for a thorough reconstruction. Urania is a great example of the reconstruction and reuse of such abandoned heritage sites which takes into account social circumstances, ecology and sustainability, and inclusiveness. The revitalized heritage building has been integrated into the public space and is once again, after two decades of neglect, open for the public.
Since the opening, Urania and the project of its reconstruction and adaptation have been recognized by the public and professional circles. It has been awarded the annual Croatian Architects' Association Viktor Kovačić award and The Vladimir Nazor annual Award given by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia. It is currently one of the nominees for the EU Mies van der Rohe Award.
How Citizens benefit
Urania used to be a cinema hall. As such, it was undeniably one of the focal points of the city. When it disappeared with the closing of the cinema, a part of the city’s social life and culture also died. The citizens lost a favorite socializing space. During the reconstruction, we did not want to further close it and just create an office building available to a small number of users. We wanted it to be open to everyone and bring new energy to the city and the neighborhood.
In addition to its role in the city’s cultural life, Urania is a place for casual encounters with friends, for socializing with a cup of coffee. It is also a place where any member of the community can participate in the formation of a better, more open, and creative society.
The cultural program of the Urania association is available to everybody regardless of their socio-economic or cultural background, gender, sexual preferences, or mental and physical abilities. Urania has become a place that encourages critical thinking, questions the role of arts (literature, film, theatre…) and architecture in building an open democratic society.
Addressing themes such as habitation, density, xenophobia, gentrification, sustainable urban development and urban renewal, the programs held in Urania have supported a structural change in the built environment – by exploring the boundaries between architecture, urban research, and visual arts and promoting interdisciplinary initiatives.
Most of the programs held in Urania are free of charge, and accessible live or through digital streaming services. Some of the organized events are high profile and already familiar and established in the public (ZagrebDox, Zagreb Film Festival etc.). Urania also gives space to marginalized groups, gives them the opportunity to be heard and recognized by the general public.
Innovative character
Private projects and initiatives are rarely cultural, human-centered and inclusive. Urania is an interdisciplinary project, one that turned out to be a solution for a local challenge. It shows how new value can be added to previously neglected spaces, how every individual and member of society can contribute and help in transforming the built environment. The reconstruction project has been made with high aesthetic standards in mind, creating a sustainable and inclusive space.