For decades, Varteks represented the economic, spatial, and social identity of Varaždin. Almost every family in the city was connected to the factory in some way, so its collapse and bankruptcy in 2024 left a significant void in the urban fabric and the collective memory of the residents. Once a lively industrial complex, it is now abandoned and without a clear function, yet it simultaneously represents an important spatial and developmental potential for the future of the city.
The master’s thesis is based on an understanding of industrial architecture as a carrier of collective memory and urban identity. The analysis of Varaždin’s historical development, the significance of the textile industry, and the spatial structure of the complex shows that, despite its abandonment, the area retains strong identity and urban value.
Instead of a comprehensive, predetermined renovation, the thesis proposes a gradual transformation, starting with an initial intervention. This intervention does not define the final state of the site but establishes a basic framework within which new functions, relationships, and spatial practices can emerge. The aim of the first phase is activation, not completion.
The project proposes the establishment of a community hub, Kvarteks Center, located in the former dyeing workshop building. The architectural design creates an open platform that connects education, creativity, and community use, opening the complex to the wider public.
The revitalization is grounded in the principles of sustainability and adaptive reuse, where the space remains largely untouched, marked by its industrial past. Within it, textile emerges as a soft layer of transformation—acting as a mediator between past and future, enabling a gradual and adaptable reactivation of the space.
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