The new building and renovation
of the Post Office on the main square of Murska Sobota represents
the final sequence in the revitalization of the city centre,
a series of projects that has previously included the renovation
of the Marketplace and forming of the new urban area behind
the square via a new mixed use building. The Post Office Building
fills the gap that has existed for decades, between two late-1960s
buildings with pronounced vertical facades. The new structure
with a floor plan of 10 by 14 metres is enclosed between neighbouring
structures and has no interior construction except for a corner
vertical core. On street level, the new customer service integrates
the new and renovated building; the four upper floors of the
new structure contain office space. Wedged between two rigid
systems, the new façade is designed as floating of horizontal
glass panels that "stitch" together neighbouring buildings
and convey into the structure the omnipresent horizontality
of the square, the city and surrounding plains. Composed of
various types of glass, the façade has transparent glass in
the entrance area and solidly coloured black glass over the
communication vertical. Primary façade area is composed of
four hues of solidly coloured glass and four hues of reflecting
coated glass, with thin strips of stainless steel dividing
the horizontals. Varying types of glass allow the building
to "interact" with the sky and thus offer a different picture
depending on the weather.
The Post Office interior is
finished in smooth modern materials and neutral tones. Subdued
atmosphere enhances the space's principal feature: the main
wall. Representing a tribute to the local craftsmanship that
has flourished in the area for centuries, it is covered in
terracotta tiles and glazed pottery in different sizes, both
hand crafted locally specially for the project.
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