While searching for an
appropriate connection between another project on the edge
of Portorose and the primary city axis and seashore space,
we came to the realization that the space next to the primary
axis was the one least defined in the centre of town. Current
state and urban documents both demonstrate lack of ideas in
organizing a new gravitational nucleus on a potentially large
area. Integration of two different owners' plots opened the
possibility of arranging a new/the only square next to the
promenade, framed by two adjoining buildings. The building
next to the promenade is envisioned as a representative retail
palace with exclusive office or apartment areas on the top
floor. The other building enfolds the square from behind,
its public ground floor spaces open to the square, and upper
floors can house office, apartment, hotel or various other
programmes. Below the entire area a garage with 300 parking
spaces is arranged, alleviating parking pressure on the promenade.
The square's positioning indents into urban fabric to the
north, drawing neat to the Auditorium Building and the future
Valeta Multi-storey Car Park at the back of the area, thus
connecting them to the forefront of central activities. |