Three Sisters Croatia, Dalmatian Coast Design, Dubrovnik Project, Croatian Architecture

Three Sisters Dubrovnik Resort, Croatia

Adriatic Coastal Resort Development design by Studio RHE, Europe

3 Aug 2010

Three Sisters Dubrovnik – Croatian Resort

THE THREE SISTERS, DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

Croatian Resort + Marina

Design: Studio RHE

Europe’s most ambitious new coastal resort development

London architects ‘Studio RHE’ recently completed their work designing the Masterplan and individual buildings at the ‘Three Sisters’ site in Croatia, 12Km. North of Dubrovnik.

picture : Vyonyx

‘Three Sisters’ is a grand proposal for an all new resort town and marina set amongst the hidden coves and dramatic vistas of the Dalmatian coast. With a proposed overall site area of 5,000 Ha the project aspires to be the most ambitious new development on the Mediterranean since the Aga Khan set his eyes on the grounds for Puerto Cervo in the 1960’s.

image : Sanders Shiers

The spectacular site enjoys unspoiled views back towards Dubrovnik as well as many of the 1,200 islands, which make this area a favourite with yachtsmen and international travellers. Blessed with a near perfect climate of sun-shine and cool sea breezes, the site offers enormous potential for environmental design and is hoped by Developers ‘The Profectus Group’ to become the ‘World’s Greatest Sustainable Development’.

The site is located off the brand new Adriatic motorway linking Split with Dubrovnik – providing easy access to the transport hubs, historic sites and costal resorts central to Croatia’s increasing popularity as a tourist destination.

The initial design was launched at this year’s MIPIM in Cannes, creating great interest in what is a fast developing region of outstanding natural beauty. Following an intense briefing period ‘Studio RHE’ amended earlier calls a for a more intensely developed area, instead making a strong case for restricting maximum build heights and limited footprints. To ensure the sustainable nature of the development the design embraces local biodiversity bringing people and nature together.

Working together with London based Environmental Consultants ‘PHA Consult’ (who were also part of the Mazdar Zero Carbon City Design Team), they have created a scheme which is clearly informed by the local topography and local building materials – creating a new modern urban centre emerging from the waterfront promenade and marina, opening to a hilltop park and central ‘circus’.

image : Sanders Shiers

Architect Richard Hywel Evans said “The Client has travelled with us around not only the local region but much further afield to experience the world’s best and less successful large scale developments, so we have been able to build a shared vocabulary of the best design. This has allowed us to start with a truly fresh approach to this extraordinary site in the middle of Europe.”

“Furthermore given the fact that Croatia is blessed with 40% of days of comfortable temperate weather and coastal breezes every day, we are starting with a very suitable place for renewable energies and truly self-sustainable design opportunities.”

picture : Vyonyx

The new design has also embraced the local region’s love of organic foodstuffs with both olive groves and vineyards placed around the facilities, which include cultural and commercial centres and a new golf course and small stadium.

The project was recently formally presented by the Chairman Vicenco Blagaic to leading Croatian politicians including the new Prime Minister Ivo Josipović and the scheme has subsequently progressed to both the local and Regional Planning offices.

picture : Vyonyx

Over 30 of the world’s best known and high-profile architects have attended presentations and workshops on the site over the last 18 months to discuss the opportunity of working on the Project, and a selection list has been compiled for each of the buildings within the Masterplan of 500,000m2.

Vicenco Blagaic said “I am convinced we have found the perfect location for our Dream, not only in Croatia, but in the entire Mediterranean.”

Three Sisters, Dubrovnik, Croatia images / information from Studio RHE

Project Visuals : Sanders Shiers / Site Aerials : Vyonyx

Studio RHE Architects, London, UK

Location: Three Sisters, Dubrovnik, Croatia, southeast Europe