PRODUCTION AND OFFICE BUILDING DUBROVCAN BY MVA – MIKELIĆ VREŠ ARHITEKTI TRANSFORMS A FORMER LANDFILL INTO A CONTEMPORARY WORKPLACE

Located in the village of Dubrovčan, northwest of Zagreb in Croatia, the new headquarters and production facility for MDK Građevinar demonstrates how contemporary industrial architecture can regenerate a neglected site while creating an inspiring workplace/offices. Designed by Croatian practice MVA Mikelić Vreš Arhitekti, the 1,850-square-metre project transforms a former construction waste landfill into a dynamic environment where architecture, landscape and everyday work seamlessly interact.

Rather than imposing a building onto the site, the project begins by restoring the land itself. The former landfill was remediated and reshaped into a new topography composed of three landscaped mounds that follow the natural slope of the terrain. These green formations organize pedestrian circulation while accommodating technical, production and shared facilities, establishing a renewed relationship between the built environment and the surrounding landscape.

Resting lightly above this newly created terrain is a simple horizontal volume with a square footprint. At its heart lies a circular atrium that serves as both the physical and social centre of the building. This open space introduces natural light deep into the interior while reinforcing visual connections between indoor and outdoor environments, creating an architectural experience that feels both transparent and immersive.

The interior has been conceived as a flexible and collaborative workplace where different types of office spaces support a variety of working styles. Private offices are positioned along the perimeter, complemented by meeting rooms, informal collaboration areas and group work niches. Extensive glazing and carefully orchestrated sightlines encourage communication between users while maintaining a constant visual connection with the surrounding landscape.

The atrium functions as the building's main circulation hub, bringing together the entrance lobby, reception, hot-desking areas, a circular presentation room and a compact auditorium. These spaces extend naturally toward a multifunctional common area and an outdoor terrace located on the lower level. A sculptural spiral staircase continues the spatial journey upward, leading to a rooftop pavilion, an outdoor terrace and a running track that provide additional amenities focused on wellbeing and informal interaction.

Structural efficiency plays a key role in the project's long-term adaptability. The building is composed of two prestressed concrete slabs supported by distinctive V-shaped perimeter columns, reinforced concrete cores and strategically positioned inclined columns. This structural system creates generous spans that allow interior layouts to evolve over time through lightweight, non-load-bearing partitions, ensuring maximum flexibility for future operational needs.

More than simply housing offices and production spaces, the building establishes its own architectural landscape while responding sensitively to its evolving surroundings. The continuous green terrain flowing beneath the elevated volume and the central atrium dissolve the traditional boundary between interior and exterior, encouraging occupants to experience the building as an extension of the landscape itself. The result is a workplace where environmental regeneration, architectural innovation and functional performance coexist in a coherent and contemporary design. 

Completed in 2024 after a design process spanning from 2019 to 2021, the project was commissioned by MDK Građevinar and photographed by Jure Živković. It reflects the design philosophy of MVA – Mikelić Vreš Arhitekti, the Zagreb-based architectural practice founded by Marin Mikelić and Tomislav Vreš in 2007. Renowned for its work across architecture, urban design and public spaces, the studio has received numerous Croatian and international awards, including multiple Viktor Kovačić Awards, the Vladimir Nazor State Award, the Architizer A+ Popular Choice Award and nominations for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award. Through projects such as the MDK Građevinar headquarters, the practice continues to demonstrate how architecture can transform challenging sites into sustainable, people-oriented environments that respond thoughtfully to both nature and the contemporary city.

Technical sheet

Architecture: MVA / MIKELIĆ VREŠ ARHITEKTI - www.mva.hr
Project team: Marin Mikelić, Tomislav Vreš, Mia Kos, Fran Stanić
Collaborators: Barbara Horvatić, Anita Kovačić, Maja Pijaca, Marin Ševo
Client: MDK Građevinar
Location: Dubrovčan, Croatia
Project: 2019-2021
Realization: 2024
Area: 1,850 m²

Photographer: Jure Živković (c)  

Source: v2com