The design creates a dense urban mixed-use district from a large disused industrial site in central Zagreb. Instead of a single large architectural structure, we propose a collection of new blocks with a network of pedestrianised streets integrated into the existing city centre. This can be developed in a phased sustainable plan allowing the site to develop into a city district of individually designed buildings.

This proposal breaks up the huge site by creating a series of pedestrian routes across the site that connect to and reinforce existing pedestrian routes across the city. These routes define five discrete blocks echoing the forms and scale of the surrounding cityscape, linked with a series of courtyard spaces at differing levels responding to public and private uses. The public spaces, block heights and angled rooflines are designed to create sunny courtyards, optimising passive solar gain across the site and giving views across the city.

The blocks contain offices or housing above a continuous base of commercial retail or public uses on the lower two storeys. The historic distillery building is refurbished to provide community use at the heart of the site facing onto a central public square. The facade of the landmark Gorica Factory is also retained and incorporated to define a public space opposite the existing marketplace. Parking is entirely contained within basements accessed from the edges of the site.