In addition to the usual agricultural activities, the town of Banovci is strongly determined by tourism. As indicated in the project brief by the Banovci Tourist Association, Banovci is a recognizable tourist village in the municipality of Veržej, known for its developed thermal tourism, rich tradition and numerous events that connect the local community and visitors.
The aim of the project is to establish a multifunctional facility and associated outdoor space, which will enable the organization of events for villagers, the development of the tourist offer, the implementation of events and smaller fairs, the promotion of local products and socializing of the local community
A facility with such a broad purpose must be as general as possible in functional areas, or the areas must enable as many functions as possible. Therefore, we design the building in two wings – one wing takes on the necessary programs that cannot be general (kitchen, toilets, cloakrooms, small shop), the other wing represents the hall space, which can be transformed into several functions depending on expectations, the season...
The two wings create an open outdoor market space between them, which can also be transformed into a wide range of purposes. The outdoor space is "bordered" with a "pergola" with grapevines, which defines the dimensions of the outdoor space, and above all creates the ambiance of a home yard with thick shade in spring and summer, grape harvest in autumn and vine rest in winter.
The pergola also becomes the natural geometry of space use – the placement of stalls, outdoor tables or is just a safe encirclement of the outdoor space, since the road is close.
The hall space in a rural environment is designed as a slightly larger "courtyard" and thus does not stand out from the environment in any other way, except perhaps in terms of materiality, which indicates another purpose of the building. The hall has a flat floor, we considered the possibility of installing retractable stands, which when stowed allow for many functions, and when open allow for an auditorium layout with 98 chairs and approximately 4.5 m of stage depth. This layout is used for lectures, concerts, performances, village meetings, celebrations... In the summer, a wide glass wall can be opened, overlooking the courtyard, and the event turns 90° - the hall becomes a stage, tables with chairs or just an auditorium layout with chairs can be arranged in the courtyard. This more than doubles the capacity of the event. In this layout, the "lugaš" again becomes the frame of the event and at the same time acts as a safety frame. The composition also functions as a safety barrier against the children's playground, which is located away from the road.