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The Theater Square is located in the immediate vicinity of the main city square of Novi Sad. The reconstruction of the square is part of a wider reconstruction of the part of the city center of Novi Sad, which covers 6.82 ha. The reconstruction project includes the area of the square, Uspenska Street, where the main bus stops and the Church of the Assumption are located, and a small piazza near the secondary entrance to the theater. The Theater Square was created after the construction of the Serbian National Theater in 1981. In order to build the theater, the old urban matrix was sacrificed and one side of the Little Jewish Street was demolished. Although the theater is undoubtedly one of the most important cultural institutions in the city, the radical demolition of the old town in the collective memory of citizens is remembered as the infamous history of urban planning, and therefore one of the important elements of the project is the memory of the former space. The intervention area has been in very bad condition for years: outdated installations, neglected greenery, cracks on sidewalks, and outdated bus stops. Generally, it was the passage zone to the main square. The idea of the project is to provide more quality spaces for socialization. The main tasks were the complete reconstruction of infrastructure, paving, public and decorative lighting, horticulture, and urban furniture. The square is a pedestrian zone, so it was necessary to provide a lot of free spaces and seating. An important element is marking the memory of the old urban matrix. In Uspenska Street, where the main bus stops are for people coming to the center, it was necessary to change the way the space was used, because the old stops were of insufficient capacity, separated from the narrow sidewalk by a devastated green area. The goal was to connect the space and provide easy access to the stands and plenty of seating. Also, the task was to form a two-way bicycle path. At the intersection of The Theater Square and Uspenska street, an urban micro-space was conceived in a combination of water and greenery. In the entire project area, it was necessary to rearrange the green areas and provide new trees. The total square area is 8110m2. Important parameters were to form the axis of the main pedestrian flows and emphasize the views towards the 'Cathedral' when walking towards the center. In the opposite direction, importance was given to the sequences and emphasizing the end of the square. Urban elements that create this concept are paving with granite slabs in three gray tones, a 'memorial lane' of Corten steel incorporated in paving that marks the line of former facades of demolished buildings, pillar lighting, and continuous benches of interesting geometry that form spaces for socialization. At the end of the walk, a micro-space is designed which consists of the fountain, benches by the water, green areas, and an information pillar. The stage lighting was designed for the theater plateau, in order to revive the space during theater premieres. Atmospheric lighting is designed for benches, trees, monuments, a bicycle path, and a 'memorial lane'. Continuous benches are lined with teak and equipped with wi-fi chargers. New tree-lined avenues have been planted in Uspenska Street and on the mini square. The bus stops made of ACP and teak are equipped with digital screens. The space is now a lively place and is used in a completely different way than before the reconstruction. From the passageway to the main square, this is now a place to come to enjoy. Bus stops have an incomparably better connection, visibility, and plenty of seating. Benches with variable ergonomics, in parts designed for sitting, and half-lying, are widely used, especially among the younger population. Around the fountain, people enjoy the immediate vicinity of the water, which is conceived as an oasis that is also a sound barrier toward the busy boulevard in the background. There are also new drinking fountains on-site. Novi Sad is a city for bicycles, so increasing the capacity of bicycle parking was much needed. Bicycles move through the pedestrian zone at the speed of pedestrians, while on Uspenska Street there is a two-way bicycle path with interesting markings and spotlighting. A text about Novi Sad was formed on the 'memorial lane' as part of the European Capital of Culture project.
Architectural studio DBA was founded in 2007 in Novi Sad, Serbia, with the basic idea that as a platform for creating and managing projects through all phases, contributes the development of contemporary architectural scenes of the city in terms of form, expression and in a symbolic sense, as well as technically concrete and as contractor rational and effective. The studio was founded and is now run by architect Djordje Bajilo (1978, Novi Sad). Professional engagement of practice operates in a wide range of design areas: architectural design, urban design, interior design, construction, project management, professional supervision over the execution of all types of works in construction as well as real estate development. Since 2009, DBA studio is member of IACS (International Association for the Design of Sports Facilities). DBA is proud of winning the IPC IAKS Distinction for Accessibility for Bemax Arena project in 2021. DBA studio consists of 40 engineers, mostly architects.
