Built in a public-private partnership, the new market in Celje was designed as a generator of life in the city centre able to resuscitate the surrounding area. The town market is situated in the heart of the city. Ever since it was formed, in the middle of the previous century, the market has represented the centre of urban activity in the city. In contrast to the old market, the new development is designed as an extrovert urban area, a kind of covered city square which is inextricably linked to the surrounding urban space.
Text: Arhitektura Krusec
Photo: Miran Kambic
This article was published in zeppelin magazine number 97.
The new market building is designed as a giant steel roof, which covers both closed as well as open stalls. The roof is divided into several smaller roof surfaces, which have split levels so as to create transitive areas, penetrated by sunlight, which lights up the marketplace during the day. The pointed interspaces, which allow the market to enjoy natural lighting, also have a structural purpose, as they constitute the carrying supports which allow bridging of the entire width of the building without any intermediary supports.
The monochrome colour design featured in the new market creates a neutral spatial background, which accentuates the colour diversity of the fruit, vegetables and other products available at the stalls. In the described manner, the final image of the architect’s work is not solely down to the work of the architect, whereas the appearance of the market is only complete when it is crowded with visitors.
The new market in Celje was built in a public-private partnership between the Municipality of the city of Celje and CMC Celje dd. A private firm invested in building the project and is now managing the market. After a designated period the market will come into ownership of Municipality of City Celje.
As the market already existed in this place but was run out, the city of Celje decided to rebuild it and moreover to give it a role of a generator of life in city centre. In that manner the size of the market and the number of selling stalls did not change radically from the previous building. The main difference is in the organisation of the market and in renovation of the surrounding area.
Underneath the large steel roof there are three closed volumes which house 24 closed selling units. Six of them are organized so that they can accommodate meat, fish or dairy shops. Three additional units are located in the glass pavilion, one of them as a cafe.
The open selling desks are organized in three groups. One consisting of 14 “selling desks” in the East side of the market is designated for selling home crafts, clothes etc. The second one, consisting of 24 selling tables, is designated for home grown vegetables, fruit etc. (“farm products”). The third group of ten tables organized in the uncovered South-East corner of the area is designated for certificated ecological and organic products. Each of the selling desks is divided in 50 cm units and can be divided in different sizes.
The market is open every working day and on Saturdays. The number of sellers varies according to the day, time of day and season. It peaks on Saturdays in spring, summer and autumn, but even in the winter it never completely closes. The market for organic products is only open on Saturdays.
