ZADAR CITY MARKET

The competition proposal for the redevelopment of Zadar City Market is based on integrating contemporary architecture with the city's historical and cultural identity.

The central design motif of the project is the geometry of traditional Croatian lace, reinterpreted through the structure and geometric grid of the new canopies. Their design draws inspiration from Zadar’s historic urban fabric and the principles of cardo-decumanus and the rhythm of solid and void characteristic of the historic city center. The combination of white aluminum, frosted glass, and clear glass creates a light, airy structure that, through the interplay of light and shadow, offers a contemporary interpretation of traditional lace patterns.

The new market building is conceived as an open and accessible urban structure. The permeable ground floor connects the surrounding pedestrian streets, while the retail spaces on the upper floor are arranged around a central skylight that allows natural light to penetrate deep into the interior.

The project combines traditional motifs, contemporary materials, and a flexible spatial layout, creating a new city market that respects Zadar’s heritage while meeting the needs of modern urban life.