The conceptual approach to this project is based on a balance between the past and the present, between architecture and nature, and between historical and contemporary needs. The main new addition, the swimming pool hall, is located near the Manor, conceived as a “bent earth” – a fold in the terrain that serves as a pedestal for the historical form, remaining in the background so that the Kurija remains the central spatial artifact. Along with a series of smaller interventions, a new volume is inserted into the previously unused roof space of the Manor, which protrudes through the roof plane in the form of pavilions. These offer views of the historical park and the pool roof, enhancing the new experience of the Mihalović Manor narrative.
The Mihalović Manor in Feričanci had been left in an unrenovated state for many years, exposed to the elements. The building itself was constructed in the late 18th century in a late Baroque-Classical style, and was later restored and extended in the mid-19th century. By the end of the 19th century, the Mihalović family sold the Kurija, which began to deteriorate. Over the 20th century, the building’s functions changed, including being used as a primary school and later as a residential building.
The design and programming of the future use of the Kurija, in collaboration with the investor, was a long, nearly decade-long process through which various functional possibilities were explored, always aiming for a balance between the new function and the historical heritage.
The Heritage Hotel ” Mihalović Manor” consists of only five bedrooms and a master suite but features a variety of additional spaces – salons for various events, a music room, a wellness area with a pool, and a special wine cellar where only wines from the Enosophia brand, owned by the investor, are served.
Certain functions are located within the historical building, while the underground garage, services, and wellness with a pool are placed at the rear of the Manor, beneath the grassy area of the historical park. This topographical change in the pool area signals the dynamics of the new functions.
In accordance with conservation guidelines for the restoration, the exterior of the Kurija has been restored while preserving its historical architectural elements. The entrance portals on the south and north façades have been reconstructed, and other elements have been preserved in their entirety. Inside, all modern partitions were removed on the ground floor, and the vestibule was returned to its original level. On the upper floor, all later structures were removed, and the series of salons was reestablished through the shared spaces of the day rooms and reception areas.
Along with the construction, the investor managed to acquire furniture and artwork that had been removed from the Kurija after World War II and taken to Zagreb, further enhancing the heritage value of the space.
The complexity of designing such a building is also evident in the high roof. The master suite with two bedrooms is located in this space, with openings in the roof structure forming pavilions that offer views of the park from the courtyard side. The historical wooden structure has been reinforced with an additional steel frame to support the cantilevered pavilions. Unlike the ground and first floors, which preserve the historical character, the roof space is fully modern, complete with contemporary furnishings, and is accessible by a lift directly from the underground garage, which is hidden beneath the park.
The placement of the pool building in the courtyard, relatively close to the historical structure, does not compete with the Manor, and it is connected to it by an underground passage. The green, fifth façade, or the roof of the pool building, is the most important façade, as it is the one most visible from the most representative first floor of the Manor. The green roof is elevated like a tent structure, forming a clear connection with the surroundings, focusing the view on the Manor and the park, which become an integral part of the pool hall experience.
