King George Fort

I Concept design project I Vis I Croatia

 Contents

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01 SITE 4
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02 CONTEXT / HISTORY 5
______ ___________________________________________
Client 03 CONCEPT 7
‘European travel ventures’ ___________________________________________
d.o.o.
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04 PROGRAM 8
___________________________________________
Location 05 EXTERIOR APPEARANCE 13
Vis, Island of Vis
______ __________________________________________
06 MAIN BUILDING 15
Architects
Arhipolis Architects
___________________________________________
______ 07 NORTH GARDEN 17
___________________________________________
Contract Ref.
04/14 08 GUNPOWDER MILL 19
______ ___________________________________________
09 MATERIALS AND FINISHES 21
___________________________________________
10 USER EXPERIENCE 23

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Fort George_ Concept Design Project
 Site 01
Historical fortification of Fort George is located on the
Island of Vis, on the outskirts of the city of Vis.
Vis is a small Dalmatian island in the Adriatic Sea. It is
the farthest inhabited island off the Croatian mainland,
and connected to the city of Split by ferry. Besides from
city of Vis, Komiža is the second largest settlement on
the island.
4 5
Fort George_ Concept Design Project
Context / History 02
Vis was inhabited by the time of the Neolithic period. In
the 4th century BC, the Greeks founded the colony Issa
on the island.
Later, it became an independent polis, and even found-
ed its own colonies, the most notable of which was As-
pálathos (the modern-day city of Split). Until 1797, the
island was under the rule of the Republic of Venice.
King George Fort
After the Royal Navy’s victory at the Battle of Vis (1811)
the British built a series of fortifications on the island, the
largest and most important being named after the British
King, King George III. The British garrisoned Fort George
with an international force of free-Italians, sharp-shooting
Corsicans and Swiss Guards once loyal to the French
King, not forgetting the red coated 35 Regiment of Foot
who arrived after a long and bitter campaign in North
America.
Two hundred years later restoration and conservation
work at the fort is aimed at preserving and showcasing
the various architectural phases of the fort.
 Concept
The project introduces new programs into existing fortress architectural
structure. By doing this, the qualities of the existing heritage artifacts
are exposed in the interior spaces. New hospitality, entertainment and
cultural programs are implemented, super-positioned among them-
selves in the vibrant and dynamic inner space. By doing this, visual
and physical contact is achieved among levels, courtyards and roof
terraces.
On the other hand, it is also promoting the cultural heritage of the whole
country and it contributes to the identity of the island as a destination.
This project sought to emphasize and verify the existing values ​​of the
rich architectural heritage and prepare it for the 21st-century tourism.
03
Fortress is linked with several countries throughout history
(England, Croatia, Austria) making this fort unique in the historical con-
text of this area. This is recognized for the maintenance of international
events (Anniversary of Battle of Vis), international weddings and perfor-
mances by musicians and DJs. The value of the existing is utilized by
new content, that is compatible with the structure of the existing- in this
Bellow- reference projects from left to right
Left page- photo montage

CARLOS DE RIAÑO LOZANO_ LA CORACERA LD+SR, RESTORATION OF DORIA CASTLE TORRE ÁRABE IN RIBA DE SAELICES CARLOS DE RIAÑO LOZANO_ LA CORACERA

Photo montage showing the entry bridge wth renewed moat, and the roof terrace of the gunpowder mill

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Fort George_ Concept Design Project
 Program 04
The building is being reconstructed in phases and is in operation during The former gunpowder mill will host in-situ structures in line with a mul-
the season when events such as Yacht Week, live concerts, weddings tifunctional space for exhibitions, lectures, projections, etc. with the ser-
etc take part. Throughout the day, space functions as a museum and a vice facilities. On the main roof terrace, lounge area and an observation
restaurant. On King George’s premises, the anniversary of the Battle of point are planned.
Vis, as well as a series of other cultural events, were held. So far the first
phase which includes renovation and restoration of the main building 1- COURTYARD
with museum facilities, meeting rooms, and the kitchen has been car- 2- GUN POWDER MILL
ried out. An underground toilette with service areas has been complet- 3- MAIN BUILDING
4- NORTH GARDEN
ed in the courtyard. The North garden is being used during the summer.

1 3 4
2

1 3 4

View of the multifunctional space from the entrance, with visual communication between the main floor and the gallery 8 9 0 5M 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Fort George_ Concept Design Project

 3
STORAGE COURTYARD
SPREMIŠTE GOSPODARSKO
KITCHEN
DVORIŠTE
KUHINJA MEETING ROOM
SOBA ZA SASTANKE

STORAGE
WC ENTRY 1˝ SPREMIŠTE
SANITARIJE ULAZ POWDER MILL-
POWDER MILL- MULTIPURPOSE SPACE
MULTIPURPOSE SPACE
BARUTANA-
BARUTANA- ANTEROOM BAR
COAT CHECK VIŠENAMJENSKI PROSTOR
VIŠENAMJENSKI PROSTOR PREDPROSTOR BAR GALLERY
GARDEROBA
GALERIJA

BRIDGE
ENTRY MOST
ULAZ

UNDERGROUND LAVATORY Ground floor First floor

PODZEMNE SANITARIJE
EXHIBITIONS MARITIME MUSEUM
IZLOŽBENI POMORSKI MUZEJ
PROSTOR

WINE MUSEUM
MUZEJ VINA OFFICER DINNING ROOM LIBRARY
ČASNIČKA BLAGOVAONICA BIBLIOTEKA

WINE CELLAR
VINSKI PODRUM

OFFICE
URED

0 2.5 M 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 17.5 20

10 11 0 2.5 M 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 17.5 20

Fort George_ Concept Design Project

 Exterior appearance
Being that the fort is protected cultural heritage, and all
of the interventions are made in cooperation and with the
East elevation constrictions of the conservators, the exterior appear-
ance of the fort is only conserved and renewed. Some of
the elements are restored like the moat in front of the en-
trance. New bridge design is contemporary, but it com-
pliments the entrance of the fort.
05
The new roof of the powder mill house is a horizontal
plane that stays hidden behind the walls, with skylights
that also serve as an exit to the roof. The skylights barely
merge from the fort, still lower than its highest part, and
they will be the only visible trace of an intervention that is
not intended to compete with the fort it serves and com-
plements.

Courtyard with underground toilets and promenade on the walls,

Entry bridge with renewed moat connecting the courtyard with the terrace on the gunpowder mill roof

West elevation

C:\Documents and Settings\Tea\Desktop\pečat\NENO potpis+pecat.jpg

North elevation South elevation

0 5M 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

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Fort George_ Concept Design Project
 Main building
The main building hosts multiple and various content.
The structure of the existing building remains the same,
with only minor interior modifications that had to be made
to make the space function. The building hosts multiple
groups of content- kitchen and the bar area, exhibitions
area that is connected to the wine cellar and wine muse-
um on the ground floor.
06
On the first floor, the following contents are located-
meeting room, officer dining room, maritime museum,
library and the gallery. Interior design is mainly focused
on representing existing stone walls and renewed wood
structures, with an industrial design concept and feeling.

View of the exhibiton space with the gallery in the background 14 15 Meeting
Entry room Maritime museum

Fort George_ Concept Design Project

 North Garden 07
Noth garden of the fort is an extraordinary space with Mediterranean
feeling. It is a green area filled with pine trees, forming a lot of shade
areas. It hosts Fort George lounge bar and serves as a club, restau-
rant for all kind of events, and especially wedding ceremonies, ac-
companied by a panoramic view of the sea. Spatial interventions in
this area are minimal, and they consist of the bar and retractable glass
fence that surrounds the space, with two heights serving as a regular
fence, but also as a safety wall and wind / sound protection when is
at its full height.

North garden with a wedding ceremony setup

View of the nort garden hosting a festivity 16 17 View of the north garden with planned retractable glass fence View of the sunset bar area

Fort George_ Concept Design Project

 Gunpowder mill the roof terrace
08
The former gunpowder mill is now excavated, and it will host multiple skylights and roof exists
activities once it is renewed. The project its not made to host one or
two specific activities- it is truly a multifunctional space that is visual-
ly connected throughout. New elements are being placed between
existing columns, and a gallery is placed on top of them. Staircase for
the gallery is also a stand, with the width that makes them the main roof construction with iron
beams and concrete vaults
focus and main attraction of the space. They are made of oak wood,
with the contemporary design that complements the existing structure.
The roof is placed below the level of outside walls and has skylights,
that also serves as an exit to the roof terrace. The roof stands on iron the gallery with latrine
beams, with concrete vaults between them. The roof terrace offers a presentation
spectacular view. The evidence of the latrine is found on the existing
wall, and that latrine is being showcased behind the glass structure.
stairs / stands to the gallery

service stairs and rooms

existing stone wall and
columns structure

View of the space from the service stairs, with the gallery and the stairs to the roof in the background 18 19 View of the multifunctional space from the entrance
Fort George_ Concept Design Project
 Concrete or ‘Beton brut’
The existing stone wall
Metal finishes
Oak floor
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Fort George_ Concept Design Project
Materials and finishes 09
The most present material of exterior and interior is
stone. Stone is the main structural material of walls,
and it’s well preserved. Damaged stone structures are
being repaired, and bigger areas are filled or replaced
with concrete. ‘Beton brut’ is used on new constructions
such as walls and prefabricated ceiling vaultings. Con-
crete is used as a modern-day version of a stone struc-
ture, and it is left visible just as the existing stone wall,
without plaster and paint to cover it. Prefabricated metal
constructions of beams, staircase, and railings are fol-
lowing the same logic with the bare metal look. Fences
are filled with a net, a mesh that is not that visible and
noticeable. Floors and gallery beams are of oak and
fir wood, which give warmth and softness to the whole
composition. This material, being the main floor materi-
al, is very present in the interior, and it compliments the
stone walls.
Oak floor Metal finishes Concrete or ‘Beton brut’ The existing stone wall
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 User experience 10
View of the gallery, with the presentation of the ‘latrine’ and roof exit

Fort George is currently a prime location for summer Sunset bar sits beneath a forest of pine trees, accompa-
events, with spectacular sea views and shaded garden. nied by a panoramic view of the Adriatic.

Restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine offers a unique Yacht week parties and concerts are regularly being held
dining experience. Art Gallery exhibits an array of mod- during the summer period, and the fort provides a majes-
ern and contemporary work from both local and interna- tic stage for wedding ceremony and celebration.
tional artists.

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Fort George_ Concept Design Project
 The former gunpowder mill will host in-situ structures
with a multifunctional space. That space can be used for
numerous things, such as exhibitions, lectures, projec-
tions, cocktail parties, wedding ceremonies, plays, read-
ings, all kinds of gatherings such as team building and
similar, and even fitness and yoga classes, not to men-
tion workshops and etc. The rooftop can also serve all of
the activities mentioned above. All of the service content
is placed in the service areas.

Left page- activities

- small concert

- Book/poetry reading

- rooftop party
fitness class being held on the gallery
- cocktail party

- yoga class

- wedding party

Right- example of activities being held (exhibition, fitness class)

24 25 exhibition held at the multifunctional space

Fort George_ Concept Design Project
2017