Dom” (or public buildings) in Croatia’s village architecture

This paper presents a particular type of village architecture – the public buildings (les maisons du peuple), which usually have great value for the local community, but are not recognized as an architectural value in general. This presentation aims to analyze and interpret several examples of this architectural type and to contribute to their reinterpretation and valorisation. Between 1868 and 1918 Croatia was a part of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. During this period a pan-Slavic movement, which had been growing stronger throughout the entire 19th century, became a serious threat to the divided supporters of the two-headed empire. After the First World War two multinational Slavic countries were created on the territories of the former monarchy – Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. Sporting societies, such as the “Sokol” (i.e. hawk) sports movement, provided a useful veil under which the pan-Slavic idea had spread successfully in the Slavic countries, contributing to better communication and stronger links. In order to meet the needs of the “Sokol” movement and facilitate the gatherings of the population in smaller cities and towns, numerous communal or public buildings with halls, libraries and open spaces for physical exercise had been constructed. “Sokolski dom” in Zlatar in northern Croatia is an example of a functional building with exceptional environmental value in its entirety where three branches of art left trace inspired by patriotism and the Hellenistic conception of „a healthy spirit in a healthy body“. The house, built in 1910, has an architectural, sculptural and painting value and is a kind of Art Nouveau Gesamtkunstwerk. It is a rare monumental example whose originality and preserved condition are unique in the Zagorje area, but is now in the need of restoration and relevant renewal. In the period between 1872 and 1942, some 50 similar buildings had been constructed mostly in the continental part of Croatia. Their typology is based on traditional cultural practices and vernacular architecture, but varies from simple to very complex buildings The choice of the construction materials and individual architectural elements reflect context of regionalism as broadly conceived in varied forms. Among many authors of these public buildings, Aleksandar Freudenreich, an architect from Zagreb, who himself designed approximately 20 such buildings moistly in continental Croatia, stands out. In 1943, he published a book entitled “Prosvjetna ognjista“ (Homes of Enlightenment) elaborating the programme of these constructions and their typology. Their architectural solutions are often found in between national, artistic and local society elements. After the Second World War, this trend was revived through a state initiative requesting leading contemporary Croatian architects to design types of communal houses for different climates: on the sea side using stone and in the continental parts using traditional styles and materials of different regions. Although this initiative never really materialised, a similar “homes of the Yugoslav People’s Army” had been constructed. Some of them became original examples of amalgamated contemporary architecture and traditional regional materials. The best cases are those of architect Ivan Vitic constructed in 1950s in coastal towns and islands (such as the buildings in Sibenik or on the island of Vis, etc). Today, this architecture is in need of renovation and new purpose.