Trgovski Dom

location: Corso Verdi, 52 - Gorizia, Italy

program: cultural and informational center

dates: project 2009, execution 2011

data: total built area 200 m2

architect: waltritsch a+u, Arch. Dimitri Waltritsch Trieste, Italy
as special consultant for the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia – Directorate for Heritage and Services, Arch. Nicoletta Zennaro
HVAC and electical: Federico Mondini, structural engineer: Guido Longo

team: Dimitri Waltritsch with Ilaria Sagrati, Cecilia Morassi

Every city counts several building as its symbols, and the Trgovski Dom designed by Max Fabiani in 1903 is one of the buildings belonging to the collective imaginary of this city. It was one of the first buildings with a multifunctional program, and through its architecture it was able to establish a very intense relationship with the main street and the opposite park. Particularly the ground floor rooms have an extraordinary ceiling height and very large windows, which acts as communication tool with the city. The aim of this project is to re-vitalize part of the ground floor, implementing a cultural and informational point for the city.  Several interior partiton walls will be demolished to obtain one medium size multipurpose room. The 5,40 mt internal height allow us to insert a half floor, detached from the facade, to avoid conflicts with the partition of the large size windows. This simple action transforms the space, introducing the possibility to act as information point, host small conferences and public talks, local exhibitions and events.

Images and text © D. Waltritsch. Use only by permission.