NAUTICAL CLUB OHRID
NAUTICAL CLUB OHRID
The Nautical Club design proposal not only revives the “Youth Union Summer Retreat” of the conservative architect Chipan, but it enhances the architectural concept of the wonderful heritage by basing the intervention on Le Corbusier’s Five Points of Architecture. The design emphasizes the original building by adding contrasting contemporary Modernistic elements. The result is a vibrant lake club for a broad public to leisure and entertain.
To bridge old and new, the intervention of the Nautical Club is marked by two types of building materials: conventional and contemporary. First and foremost, the original building is renovated to its former glory in its concrete structure with sleek white plaster and blue window frames: the conventional materials. Subsequently, the sustainable biobased material timber has been used for all the interventions, expressing the contemporary material. The choice of natural timber ensures that the building itself, which strikes with its conventional building materials in a naturally rich environment, remains the protagonist of the design.
Visitors are welcomed by the entrance building and an elongated pergola on the North side of the plot. The grid structure of the pergola is determined by the grid of the building’s columns, creating a harmony between the outdoor and indoor spaces. Further, the pergola reveals the clear circulation and guides the visitors towards the building. When walking down the pergola, they are met by the timber triumphal arc, whilst indicating the rich Roman history of North Macedonia, celebrating Ohrid’s culture.
After passing the triumphal arc, the visitors can explore all the activities that the Nautical Club has to offer. The open floor plan throughout the entire plot ensures that one can dwell freely. They could follow the main route - with pergolas - leading towards the lake, or take one of its secondary pathways - without pergolas. The latter leads to the outdoor sports facility, climbing wall, fire pit, terrace or inside the Nautical Club itself.
While most activities are outside, it leaves space inside for all supporting facilities, ensuring that the Nautical Club remains interesting to visit year-round. The bar, lounge and changing rooms are located on the ground floor and on the first floor are the restaurant and board-/meeting room.
Horizontal windows are more articulated in the new design, by orientating the restaurant towards the balcony. Further, the view over the lake is the eye-catcher of the restaurant due to the new windows.
Lastly, the public can access the roof garden, truly enhancing Modernism in Chipan’s design. Visitors can enjoy their meals as they are amazed by the view.
The Nautical Club is designed to enhance the architectural value of the heritage by adding contemporary sustainable Modernism. Thereby, creating a vibrant lake club for the local community and seasonal tourists, providing an engaging location for leisure and entertainment.
