In 1929 the most modern swimming pool in all of Yugoslavia was opened – the Ilirija Swimming Pool designed by Stanko Bloudek had an open Olympic pool (50×16 meters), a diving platform, a sun terrace, hot(!) showers, a restaurant, cafe, and a barber. Today, almost 100 years after, in collaboration with Peter Lorenz (Lorenz Ateliers) we are designing a modern sports center with two indoor Olympic pools (50×25 meters and 25×20 meters), sports halls, a spa, ‘beach’, Bloudek museum, sports park, and an underground garage.
The project Sports City Ilirija is in a continuous conversation with Ilirija’s local past and the visionary ambitions for its future. When completed, it will be an almost zero-energy sports complex, naturally lit through partially transparent roof elements and a completely see-through facade that will preserve Bloudek’s original entrance and replace it with a replica of the stolen statue of the ‘female swimmer’ by France Gorše.
The entire complex will be powered by geothermal energy, which is transformed into heating and cooling energy via heat pumps and exchangers. Almost all the energy needed to operate the swimming pool will be obtained from reversible sources. Ilirija’s roof will also boast a field of solar panels supplying the complex with renewable electricity.
Letterman’s Avenue will be restored with a new underpass, giving access to Tivoli Park.
Sports City Ilirija will house a multitude of public and accessible ambiance that will promote a healthy city lifestyle.
