On Friday, June 30, in the Učka Nature Park, the mountain shelter called "Cracked Egg in the Nest" and the bird observatory "Kremenjak" were ceremoniously opened, a new project by architect Ivan Juretić. The shelter is located on a picturesque grassy mountain ridge near the peak of Kremenjak, offering fascinating views of the Kvarner Bay and Istria.
The ovoid-shaped structure consists of an outer shell made of dry branches, which in form and material resembles a nest, while inside is a smaller, compact, egg-shaped form that paraphrases a cracked, laid egg. The shelter is a small structure with an area of about 12 square meters, with a capacity of 4 to 6 beds, providing good protection from rain and wind and allowing for a safe haven. The shelter was built in accordance with sustainable construction methods and ecological standards, is energy independent, with both literal and metaphorical emphasis on ecology, nature and climate protection.
The project for the mountain shelter and bird observatory “Cracked Egg in the Nest” on Učka by architect Ivan Juretić represents a concept that combines a mountain shelter and a bird observatory, thus connecting the characteristics of the project‘s microlocation in the protected area of Učka Nature Park. Namely, the area of the southern part of the Park, near the peak of Kremenjak, is characterized by a developed network of hiking trails, rich birdlife, and a lack of mountain facilities. The shelter/observatory project is aimed at a wider population, with the purpose of attracting people into nature, inviting dialogue and identification with the mountain area. The shelter function will enable a safer stay in the mountains and attract hikers who will now more easily tackle the long stretch of hiking trails, while the observatory function will motivate naturalists and bird lovers, and its educational aspect will interest school children and the general public in topics such as hiking, outdoor activities, and learning about and studying the fantastic nature that surrounds us.
Učka Nature Park is known for its birdlife – over 170 bird species have been recorded in the Park, both nesting and migratory. The location of the new mountain shelter is situated on the migration route of many migratory species, which served as inspiration for the author for both the architectural design and the dual function of this mountain structure – in addition to its primary purpose as a mountain shelter, it will also be used as a bird observatory. Between the outer shell and the object itself is a staircase leading to the terrace/roof, which emphasizes the observatory function, offering views of Učka, Kvarner Bay, the islands of Cres and Lošinj, and the Istrian peninsula. The outer shell of branches partly conceals both the structure and the observer, but at the same time offers the possibility of looking out.
Otherwise, Ivan Juretić completed his architecture studies in Ljubljana, postgraduate studies in industrial design in Milan, and, as he says, learned carpentry from his grandfather Dragan Juretić, who was a carpenter.
It is also important to note that the Croatian Chamber of Architects (HKA) awarded the Croatian Mountaineering Association this year with a medal for innovation and sustainability in architecture for three mountain shelters by architect Ivan Juretić. These are the Miroslav Hirtz shelter on Bijele stijene and the Šugarska duliba and Ždrilo shelters in southern Velebit, which have been renovated and arranged through the investment and efforts of the HPS and mountaineering associations that manage them, according to the projects and under the leadership of architect and builder Ivan Juretić.
You can find more information about this project at www.pp-ucka.hr.
Za sudjelovanje u komentarima je potrebna prijava, odnosno registracija ako još nemaš korisnički profil....