Vinaver Square in Šabac, Serbia represents a complete transformation of a previously devastated city space at the western end of the main pedestrian axis of the city. The intersection where five city roads intersect, which was dominated by road surfaces, has been turned into a new attractive public space, dedicated to the famous Šabac-born expressionist writer, Stanislav Vinaver.
In designing the square dedicated to an important figure of Serbian 20th century literature, the author opted for an unusual approach of interpretation of text through design, basing the square and urban elements design on a world described in Vinaver's 1921 work "The Lightning Rod of the Universe". In this way, the entire square becomes a monument to the writer, inviting users to spatially experience Vinaver's expressionist world.
In his text, Vinaver describes a layered world that exists on some far away star in the Universe. He speaks of three layers: the first layer is green earth, with flowers, trees and green lakes. On this earth there are electrical stations, with black boards on which red numbers are written. The numbers are illuminated with red light and represent variable relations of things happening on the upper two layers. The first upper layer is a surface on which “houses and people slide”. The second upper surface is ephemeral, consisting of lights, scents and music.
This vivid description of a layered world inspired the square design - the hearth of the plaza is not paved, but laid with thick grass, slightly embossed into the pavement surface. The pavement is made of printed concrete with exaggerated joints to create an effect of tiles, emphasizing the impression of layering – it feels like it is almost possible to lift one of the “tiles” to reveal the grass of the lower layer underneath.
The urban furniture design is also inspired by Vinaver’s writing, with benches from dark sheet metal with numbers. Introduction of inclusive benches allows wheelchair users to equitably enjoy the space and the design of the new water fountain is also based on wheelchair accessibility.
Fifteen new trees have been planted at the plaza – their crowns will become part of the third, ephemeral layer of the space, together with lighting elements and sculptural frames of the pergola. The structure of connecting red frames is the expressionist element of the square design - its optimistic color and irregular shapes bring the unexpected and dynamic into the public realm, in the spirit of Vinaver’s expressionism.
Of special architectural value is decision to include the remodeling of the facade of the adjunct Zorka tower into the square project, giving an urban design project a third dimension. Red network on the facade, inspired by the expressionist pergola of the square, and designed in collaboration with architect Katarina Dubljanin, achieves the visual unity of the square and the facade.
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