Design District Zagreb - the Main Reason Why You Should Visit Zagreb in June
Do you wonder why? The answer is very short. Zagreb will become one of the most exciting design destinations in June. More precisely, the neighborhood in Zagreb whose artery is Martićeva Street will shine as the host of a new festival – Design District Zagreb - from the 16th to the 19th of June.
What's this about?
The east-central zone of the city enclosed by Šubićeva, Zvonimirova, Račkoga, Draškovićeva, and Vlaška Street is currently experiencing spontaneous urban transformation. Respectively, it becomes one of the coolest and creative neighborhoods. I'm sure that if you ask any of the locals what the first thing is when they think of Martićeva street, most of them will give you the same answer: "It is one of the streets where you could buy some car parts and where there were many auto shops“.
Credit image: Divas Bistro, Facebook page
But today, decades later it is abandoned, and certain areas associated with the automotive industry were transformed by new, interesting, creative, and cultural facilities. What's more, some of the best design and architectural studios in the city are located in this neighborhood. Also, it should be noted that this neighborhood is infused with a priceless architectural heritage of the modern era. The culmination of this 'wealth' will be in the aforementioned four-day festival that is intended for all of us who live in Zagreb, but also for all those lucky people who will be in the heart of the Croatia at that time.
Credit image: Croatia Design Superstore, Facebook page
During this new festival, the neighborhood will be filled with interesting content and designers, architects, artists, and other creative people from Martićeva street will enrich unused rooms and public areas with their projects and works.
One of the announced attractions will be Net, a fascinating spatial installation and 'disappearing architecture' of Croatian-Austrian designers Numen/For Use, which will be premiered in Zagreb. However, visitors and audience will be involved in the life of the neighborhood through various workshops and events. Of course, there will be various promotions, but also a lot of good parties.
Credit image: Numen/For Use, Facebook page
You can also take part in the festival!
No, I'm not kidding! This exciting festival is open to all designers, architects, artists, and other authors from Croatia, but also from abroad. All you need is to sign up for the contest 'Little progress' which is open until April 20, 2016. All shortlisted works will be presented to the audience on the street exhibition during the festival Design District Zagreb.
The festival is open to all professionals, tourists, and inhabitants living in this neighborhood. However, projects applying for the competition must be focused on the design and urbanity that will raise the quality in this part of town. When I mention urbanity, it means that you need to develop something that will be used for relaxing in this area od Zagreb.
Local protagonists who participate in the Design District Zagreb
Credit image: Blok bar, Facebook page
A few of the local protagonists that will actively participate in the program of Design District Zagreb are: literary club (and the neighbourhood pioneer) 'Booksa', bookstore 'Bibliofil', 'Gallery Miroslav Kraljević' and 'Gallery 3.14', 'Oris House of Architecture', coworking space 'Impact Hub', manufacturers and showrooms of furniture design 'Prostoria' and 'Grupa Products', designer glasses 'Sheriff & Cherry', 'Owl Studio by Lidia Boševski', architecture firms 'Penezić' and 'Rogina', 'MVA Mikelić Vreš Architects', 'Matrica Architecture', 'Two Architects'; design studios 'Grupa', 'Fiktiv', 'Kuna zlatica', 'Superstudio', gastro-points 'Blok bar', 'Mak na konac', 'Mali bar', café and bistro 'Divas', higher education institutions 'Edward Bernays' and 'Vern', 'Design Hostel 63' and design apartments 'Svimi', designer furniture shops 'Studio Haramina' and 'Planet Moderna', and small craft shops such as the shoemaker 'A Shoo' and the charming flower shop 'La Marco'.
So, you don't have to think anymore. Architecture, fashion, design and guaranteed fun are enough reasons to be in Zagreb in June. See you in Martićeva Street! :)
Header image credit: Croatian Design Superstore, Facebook page
Author: Nikolina Jozanović