Dunja Jelisavcic

A radial structure of timber, steel and concrete remains fully exposed, shaping the stadium as an open mechanical ring with a deep façade and a rhythm of powerful external frames. Horizontal bands of seating, concourses and glazed levels intersect the structural skeleton, while a broad roof covers the circular bowl. In the survey area, a continuous spatial “ribbon” links Maksimir, the athletics facilities, sports halls and Borongaj, becoming a cycle route, grandstand canopy, colonnade and pedestrian connector. For the second round, the jury established additional evaluation criteria. These included the urban concept, the quality and feasibility of the proposal, the integration of buildings and public spaces, and the organisational and formal qualities of the individual buildings, with particular emphasis on the stadium proposal. Generic or overly expressive structures that strongly defined the stadium’s identity but presented significant challenges in terms of construction or cost were considered less appropriate to the programme and context. The same applied to high-maintenance materials and an excessive reliance on vegetation within the stadium. The possibility of phased construction was also an important criterion for elimination, while the jury continued to recognise the architectural quality of the programme’s articulation.