Hotel "Libertas", Dubrovnik, Croatia
Investor: Noram Invest
Services provided: design, project management
GBA: 47 000 m²
Period: 2002 – 2004
Description:
The project Hotel Libertas, as well as its extension that was built later, are situated in the attractive locality Sports and Recreation Park ‘Gospino Pole’ in the city of Dubrovnik. The proximity to the city, the sea and the park make the hotel an attractive place for tourists. The ‘Gospino Pole’ region is a part of the ancient Dubrovnik locality of Astarea. Its use by people is dated as early as ancient Roman times. The current name of ‘Gospino Pole was given to the locality during the Middle Ages time when the cultural site Gospa Miloserja was built in the 14th century. The Site was extended and renovated in the 16th century and today is a part of a common monastery complex. To the Northeast of the place is a cemetery (founded in 1806) and to the southwest, on a small hill and among a belt of greenery and a pine wood, are two adjacent sacral sites: the churches of St. Vlah and St. Ana, built during the 14th century. The complex with the provincial governor’s church lies to the west together with the grave of St. Michael. The sites mentioned
above are emblematic for the valuable historical heritage both for their culturalhistoric and architectural-urban content. The war has caused great damage to the hotel. Its structure, the interior and its facades have been injured to a level of being unfit for dwelling or use for any purpose whatsoever. The major principle in the design solution is the conducting of the axis of the main entrance and its link to the park. This was achieved by emphasizing the internal street with rich roof glazing that passes through the hotel and forms the canopy over the main entrance.
A new architectural appearance has been achieved to satisfy the high hotel category. A colonnade was added to the existing façade with arches on two levels, where a separate entrance to the casino was shaped. Richness in detail contributes to the individual image of the hotel.
The lateral facades are a tranquil and light-weight solution. The public level is also marked on the façade to the sea with a terrace covered with arches. The terrace follows the wave-like form of the existing hotel development. The terrace-like character of the building facing the sea was also preserved in the superstructure. Unity in the architectural appearance of the hotel was thus achieved. A fusion was sought between the architectural appearance of the hotel and the adjoining environment, which is rich in architectural monuments from the Renaissance. The underlying idea of additional colonnades contiguous to the main facades is the basic architectonic principle here, as they contribute to the better fitting of the new building to the adjoining architectural Medieval and Renaissance surroundings. The arches, pilasters and traditional materials used, such as stone (for the pavements and linings), metal (for the railings) and glass, contribute to the memorable appearance of Hotel Libertas.
The recreation of the atmosphere so characteristic for the city of Dubrovnik is the goal for all public zones of the hotel.
The atrium is the dominant accent that enriches the internal space and makes it more spacious and sunny. Characteristic elements of the urban environment of Dubrovnik are used in the interior, such as street lamps, stone pavements and facings, and rich greenery.
