slanted prefab concrete panels front the zlatar bistrica sports hall in croatia

NOP studio enlivens small town with ambitiously-designed sports hall 

The Zlatar Bistrica Sports Hall sits in a small town located on one of the few plains of the otherwise hilly Hrvatsko Zagorje in northwest Croatia. Completed by NOP Studio, the project showcases an ambitious design that injects contemporary architectural culture into a town with limited urban features: a school, church, and community health center scattered along two main roads. 

‘The school complex is in symbiosis with its rural environment; its neat and relatively neutral modern architecture defines the access square on two sides. The rest borders a typical rural property with outbuildings. This arrangement fits nicely with the schoolyard used to grow plants and teach children about nature and agriculture,’ explains the studio. 

the studio worked with Beton Lučko to develop a unique type of concrete prefab paneling
all images © Bosnic+Dorotic

With that in mind, architect Ivan Galić from NOP studio (see more here) gave equal attention to all aspects of the Zlatar Bistrica Sports Hall. As a result, everything that goes on inside and around – from big events involving the entire local community to intimate, informal gatherings – has been fitted into an appropriate architectural framework. As a result, between the ‘deconstructed’ western facade and structural precision of the ensemble, Galić has created a distinct identity not only for the school complex but for the entire town, too. 

‘This project has succeeded in addressing and harmonizing varying functions of such an important investment for the community, and the formal quality of the building reflects an empathic interpretation of everyday life,’ he elaborates. 

the sports hall showcases an ambitious design that imparts contemporary architectural culture to a small town

Before reaching that success, the team had to overcome certain challenges related to community sports halls. These buildings hold key cultural and social functions and are often part of a larger institution in towns with limited public architecture. However, sports halls are often marginalized through simplistic design approaches instead of standing out in the crowd. 

Additionally, school halls can provide alternative learning spaces during breaks, with rules different from those children are accustomed to in classrooms or everyday urban or rural communities. ‘We had to resolve the basic contrast between a simple hall and an important public building. This contrast is a common pitfall for investors and designers alike,’ notes NOP studio. 

the new building inherited the former orientation of the sports hall burned down by a fire 

responding to land topography and past events

To start, the team built the hall on a lot sloping westwards, configuring it in such a way that respond to the land topography. More importantly, the new building orientation replicates that of the town’s former sports hall that burned down during a fire. Such a subtle intervention gently commemorates the grim event. Meanwhile, the perimeter around the building is designed to establish a link between the school square and the lower plateau, where an open court and school parking lot are held. From there runs the main pedestrian access configured as a stairway and ramp system.

The facade opening onto the school square features a glazed ground floor and entrance — allowing the public court to seep indoors before cascading down the grandstand staircase to the lower sporting level. This configuration enables a clear view into the hall from the square and vice versa.