Construction is being carried out by Riko, d.o.o. The design is being carried out in consortium with EFEKT arhitektura, d.o.o.
March 2024
Over the winter, the contractor completed the construction of the basic structure. The final footprint of the planned cultural centre is defined and clearly visible in space. The two main height dominants, the stage tower and the so-called administrative tower, define the basic height accents, which are also clearly visible in the wider area of the centre of Ribnica. The photographs show a distinct articulation of the structure into several material and operational principles. Areas that are more easily accessible by construction machinery and do not require complex formwork technologies are in reinforced concrete. The higher structures, as well as the roof over the central entrance lobby, are based on prefabricated technology. The design has been subject to a number of tests of different construction principles, both in terms of building structures and the economics of construction operations. The synthetic solution is a synergy of diverse construction principles, but above all a careful engineering approach to optimise each individual construction process.
The logic of construction, where economic frameworks are clearly defined and fully binding, requires a high level of commitment and constructive engagement from all involved. However complex the processes we are faced with, the construction of the ICCR is an exemplary case of sustainable design, as we are confronted daily with the challenges of optimising the use of raw materials and resources, short delivery routes and the economics of construction operations, while at the same time being committed to delivering a sustainable and low-maintenance building. The daily involvement in all decision-making steps undoubtedly defines new dimensions of the architectural profession, as well as the extent of its daily workload and responsibilities.
November 2023
In the past two months, the underground part of the building has been completed. The contractor Riko continues with the concrete works for the new cultural centre. The dimensions of the new entrance lobby and central hall can be seen in the already defined scope of the construction.
All the above-ground construction works involve a varied mix of different types of structures, concrete, steel and timber.
At the same time as the concrete and steel construction is progressing, the subcontractor Riko Hiše is preparing for the prefabricated timber roof structures over the lobby, auditorium and later the stage tower.
The decision to go for this type of structure was tested from several points of view, notably construction logistics, the complexity of cladding high spaces and the dynamics of construction.
The construction is living proof that all factors, construction price, overhead costs and locally available technology, need to be taken into account simultaneously when choosing the optimal design.
The primary steel structure above the lobby and auditorium has also already been delivered to site.
August 2023
The construction of the centre is on schedule. The installation of the reinforcement of the slab above the basement is mostly complete. . It will be implemented in two construction phases. In the design of the structure, it was decided to design without beams in order to optimize the height of the underground floor. As a result, special attention had to be paid to the so-called “breakthrough reinforcement”, which is designed in the star-shape form above the columns and slopes in the basement, where the greatest concentrations of axial forces are normally found.
From the top of the slab, it is possible to identify the upward-facing beams, which already indicate the slope of the auditorium. Likewise, a walk through the reinforcement of the ground floor suggests the basic dimensions of the hall, the entrance lobby and the smaller hall – in relation to the surrounding buildings and the prevailing street views.
The basement pavement will be laid directly on the base of the foundation slab. Some interesting impressions made during the floor “helicopter” smoothing operation will be removed by appropriate abrasion and puttying.
August 2023
Construction of the underground garage is well underway. Formwork and concrete for the vertical structure of the underground floor is being poured. To protect the building against moisture ingress, the technique of chemical crystallisation of concrete was chosen to ensure adequate watertightness. As the building is constructed on several foundation levels and has a relatively varied plan contour, geometrically varied interfaces between the vertical and horizontal phases of concreting occur around the perimeter of the building body. Several different techniques are used to ensure the watertightness of working joints.
A particular challenge in compact rock is the drainage of the rainwater. As the site was already occupied by a larger building with its own septic tank and sinking water system into a karst fissure in the subsoil, this will now be used for sinking rainwater. The fecal sewerage will, of course, be fed into the public sewerage system.
July 2023
The excavation of the construction pit confirmed the expectation that the geology of the building is very good, as most of the foundations are on a stone base. We have designed a relatively slender foundation slab and, thanks to the good and incompressible substrate, the height difference in the foundation level will be made without a need of a stepped foundation.
June 2023
The demolition of the existing Ideal centre Ribnica building has freed up the MŠK Ribnica construction site. The construction will be carried out in two phases, the underground part of the public car park and the above-ground part of the cultural centre. When designing the new building, attention was paid to the fact that the volume of the basement of the existing and new building does not differ significantly, thus simplifying the excavation of the construction pit. Much of the construction is located on compacted bedrock, where additional excavation requires mechanically highly invasive measures. We have tried to keep these to a minimum through careful planning.
