Architecture has always been a reflection of socio-economic progress and a measure of development of a particular country. Construction of Novi Zagreb (New Zagreb) neighbourhoods serves as an indicator of a collective advancement of architectural science and other related disciplines. The early 1960s marked a period when the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia opened itself up to the world and began to apply global achievements in its own setting. The crossing of the Sava River signified the start of construction of the Zagreb Fair and future residential housing projects, planned according to the Urban Development Plan, as well as new roads and bridges. An idea of building smaller residential units within individual districts was the guiding principle of the new urbanism, but only the function of housing was achieved, with residential units becoming little more than dormitories.
Tomislav Premerl noted in his book that in a large and diverse construction output, certain distinct and profiled values can already be singled out, which are now subject to critique. Nevertheless, mass social construction was still limited by a prescribed typology and mediocre quality, with individual creative freedoms only possible for the more courageous individuals, who from today’s perspective eventually defined this period. The 1960s were a time of increased openings of factories in urban settlements and the rising influx of inhabitants into the urban area leading to a severe housing crisis (Dragana Mecanov). During this period, the law of supply and demand dictated the construction of as much housing as possible to accommodate the population adequately. After the 1963 earthquake in Skopje, the first anti-seismic regulations were introduced and buildings were constructed in line with these new standards.
The six giants located opposite the Fair were built between 1962 and 1967, with the first tenants moving in during the latter year. They were designed by architects Milivoj Peterčić and Lujo Schwerer (Ivo Maroević), with other sources stating that the project was designed by architects Lujo Schwerer and Tereza Matić (Dragan Damjanović). The skyscrapers are arranged on a large grassy area in two rows of three and were constructed using Jugomont plates and reinforced concrete, designed to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 6.1 on the Richter scale. Each building consists of a basement, ground floor, 16 floors, and a terrace. The ground floor and each floor contain four apartments, while the terrace has two or three additional apartments built on top. Each of the skyscrapers has both even and odd-numbered lifts, as well as staircases, which are separated by hallway doors on each floor, where the entrances to the flats are located. A distinctive feature of the construction of these towers is that each apartment originally had heating pipes as well as water supply and drainage pipes on the outside of the wall.
Interesting facts about the six skyscrapers:
1. They were used to showcase the power of the former state to foreign government officials visiting the Fair. At the time, the residents of the skyscrapers were not allowed to hang their washing on balconies and were required to lower their blinds for “security” reasons.
2. Većeslav Holjevac lived in the skyscraper Siget 9, on the 11th floor.
3. Branimir Štulić (Johnny) lived in the skyscraper Siget 10, on the 11th floor.
Interesting facts about Siget:
1. Architect Ivan Zemljak proposed names for all the neighbourhoods of Novi Zagreb.
2. Park Mladenca (Park of the Newlyweds) was constructed from 1964 to 1977, and it separates Siget from Trnsko. Every newlywed couple was required to contribute money for planting of a seedling in the park. Thus, today, over 18,000 trees can be found there.
3. The first residents of Siget moved in January 1965, into the residential building Siget 14.
Sources:
Premerl, Tomislav. 2003. Zagreb, grad moderne arhitekture, Stoljeće zagrebačke arhitekture. Durieux, Zagreb.
Mecanov, Dragana. Sustav prefabricirane gradnje Jugomont iz Zagreba. Prostor, Zagreb.
Maroević, Ivo. 2007. O Zagrebu usput i s razlogom, IPU, Zagreb
