Geo:Krvavica (complex)

top down view to the building and sea

GeoSpore: Krvavica is an architectural complex and a site of a former sanatorium for children and later more general health resort located in the Krvavica, tiny village next to the city of w:Makarska on the coast of w:Dalmatia. It is an unusual modernist architectural masterpiece, in the pine forest on the beach, under a village that climbs up the hill with a serpentine road to the main Adriatic_Highway.

It was semi-hidden from the view and attention of expert (architectural) public as it was owned by SFR Yugoslavia's Ground Forces, fairly unknown and under-documented since its construction, until 2000s. Building has been left neglected since late 90ties and out of its primary function for even longer, as last use was for the refugees of war in Croatia (not damaged in war).

Many cultural professionals, artists, activists, local inhabitants and regional supporters are trying to advocate for return to its original or at least mixed public use as commons. Getty Conservation Institute expressed interest to take part in the conservation support.

NOTE: Krvavica is a fairly common toponym in South-Slavic languages. This page is related to the Krvavica located in Croatia (HR Wikipedia page)

General info

Complex is composed of 2 main parts with adjunct infrastructure.

The central building is a ring shaped concrete construction and elevated on pillars and pylons to the height of trees (to maximize effects of sunlight and fresh air for all rooms in a full circle), with two big protected terraces as it served primarily for the rehabilitation of kids

Side building for living shaped like cube was done in combination of stone and concrete, with the ambient organized around was also done with good intentions of care for the context, but has been also partially compromised in past decades of unplanned building and built improvisation.

It appears as a work of a commited Corbusier's follower or at least to his 5 points of modern architecture. The author of this previously unknown masterpiece built 1962 – 64 is in fact known but not famous architect, urbanist and painter Rikard Marasović. It was re-discovered relatively recently and is semi-protected as an architectural cultural heritage, thanks to the research and publication work of architect Miranda Veljačić in 2013.

side building of complex in 2020

reasoning behind a feature here

The complex is featured here in the Geo Spore as its location and the architectural setup inspires many into action to protect the architectural heritage, create cultural and social interventions and try to save from commercialization and likely tear-down for a more generic tourist infrastructure. Related twin page Art:Krv/AV/ica is a page documenting situated art practices (where artist and creatives engage, perform and express, more likely as an intervention, rather than in presentation form).

Research

Initial research by Miranda Veljačić was summarized and published by Oris architectural magazine.

Architect

Initial research on the architect from Veljačić, is continued by Ana Dana Beroš for upcoming documentary.

Histories of past use and function

Collecting of audio and text statements, photos and video has been taken on by multiple individuals and Udruga Kačić (local NGO).

Mediation

Episode in the TV series SLUMBERING CONCRETE

Building is featured as the 'Mysterious Object in the Pine Forest" in a dedicated episode of a popular, much praised and awarded Croatian documentary TV series on modernist and brutalist architecture SLUMBERING CONCRETE (Croatian: Betonski Spavači). In the episode architect, researcher and activist Miranda Veljačić (who initiated protection) walks through the building with Maroje Mrduljaš (co-author of series) discussing what makes it distinguished architectural project. Other protagonists give comment on its past use, decay and societal issues that lead to current situation. Original episode is available online and English subtitling possibly for educational use upon request.

On the series: Throughout four episodes (Socialism Meets Capitalism, Brief Encounters Along the Adriatic Highway, Mysterious Object in the Pine Forest, Megastructures) the series explores Croatian tourist architecture of the period, places where citizens of the West and the East could meet and put aside their differences in moments of leisure during the period of the Cold War and the rivalry between the Western and the Eastern Bloc. Each episode tells a dramatic story of the contradictions within socialist Yugoslav society positioned between the East and the West, democracy and totalitarianism, steeped in the utopian notion that architecture can make the world a better place.

On the episode: In this episode we explore the possibilities of revitalising a mysterious building of unusual beauty in the small town of Krvavica, near Makarska. The building cannot be found in any urban development plans nor land registers; it was built by the Yugoslav People’s Army as a place to treat children suffering from pulmonary diseases. At the initiative of architects, it was granted the permanent status of a protected monument, which was resisted by the local authorities. Today it stands abandoned, dilapidated, and looted, while the State Property Management Office is still at a loss what to do with this priceless building.

Director: Saša Ban; Screenwriters: Nevenka Sablić, Saša Ban, Maroje Mrduljaš; DP: Hrvoje Franjić; Editing: Vanja Siruček; Producers: Dana Budisavljević and Miljenka Čogelja; Production: Hulahop for HRT;

Website: https://hulahop.hr/en/project/betonski-spavaci/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/BetonskiSpavaci/

Media references

• https://balkaninsight.com/2020/09/16/croat-ngos-oppose-turning-childrens-health-resorts-into-hotels/
• https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=328527698352228&extid=VR7YG6kAx4jF61Uc (video)

exhibitions and presentations

To be filled in...