The Project

Water economy = water ecology – 2006

Tvrdalj as a conceptual starting point for a new cultural center.

Tourism and the attitude towards resources shown in the example of fresh water on the island.

The program of the Sweet Water project includes the reconstruction and conversion of the neglected structure of the old cinema/theater into the town’s new multimedia center creating a modern, technological space: for the activities of local ecological associations, for social and cultural activities, for alternative projects of young islanders.

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Water geography – 4th ct. BC

Stari Grad is the town on the island of Hvar, named after the Greek name Faros that in 384 B.C. came to the island and confronted with the native Illyrs. It was founded at the bottom of an ideal bay and in its vicinity there was a lot of fertile land and drinkable water – creating a perfect conditions for a development of a town which experienced an apogee at the end of ancient times.

Aesthetic of water – the early 16th century

The noble, humanist, translator of Ovid and poet Petar Hektorović from Hvar built the Tvrdalj villa according to his own project, on the very edge of water and above five sources of fresh water that he poetically called «sweet water». He planned a big pond in the central atrium, where the sea mixed with fresh water, so it was populated by fish that spawn in brackish water.

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Water Economy: Civic centre – early 21st century

The multifunctional nature of the structure, the combination of its commercial and non-commercial functions, should provide the Center and local associations with a long-term way of self-financing and prompt/motivate the local authorities to realize the project. The concept of water ecology applies to the architectural “internality” of the structure used for developing social activism, critical discourse and various non-commercial activities. Water economy applies to the architectural “façade” of the center as the infrastructure for the marina: providing fresh water, washing the boats, providing showers and toilets. The external and the internal would communicate though an information system, through the visualization and its consumption, thereby educating tourists and the local community.

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Performance

Josko Belamarić ( Ministry of Culture)
Aldo Čavić (Cultural Center of Stari Grad)
Visko Haladić (Mayor, City of Stari Grad):

Recognized the quality and innovation of the program anticipated through a Matra project "Dear water" (reconstruction of existing facilities aimed to accommodate public programs: library, public spaces,..) The intervention in Starigrad old theatre could be compared with successful reconstruction of the former Yugoslav National Army Cultural center into the public library in the City of Sibenik. This project was financially supported by the Ministry of culture and proved to successful planned public space. A comment related to "Dear water" tackled the issues of program (no commercial services) and design (water as the element of facade should be reconsidered)...

(From the 3rd Interim Matra Report)

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