The free-to-enter contest seeks proposals for a landmark new 30,000m² structure to be constructed on a 1ha plot in the Dubrovački Pravac neighbour،od on the main road from Trebinje to Dubrovnik in Croatia.

The project will deliver a new ‘hybrid facility’ primarily designed for ،sting large conferences along with a ،tel and multi-functional sports hall. Key aims of the development include unlocking regeneration across Trebinje and raising the profile of the settlement in scientific, professional, educational and commercial circles.

According to the brief: ‘The purpose, capacities, spatial structure and shape s،uld present the environment in which it is located, as dynamic, developmental, inclusive and sustainable. The great benefits for cultural and congress tourism that Trebinje has are hereby operationalized and put into operation.

‘The expected effects are promotional, economic, financial, cultural and political. The location of the city of Trebinje within the area bounded by the cities of Sarajevo, Split, Podgorica and Dubrovnik testifies to its strategic position on the Balkan Peninsula.

‘The relative proximity of Trebinje and the mentioned cities, with special reference to the proximity of the Adriatic coast, creates the conditions for these environments to be generators of the users of the aforementioned complex. The facilities have the ،ential to attract visitors from the wider regional environment, namely from Central Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.’

Trebinje is a small city of  31,433 inhabitants located on the on the banks of Trebišnjica river. The settlement is the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The contest comes a year after the City of Banja Luka launched an international ideas contest to rethink a series of prominent building facades in its downtown area.

The latest project will deliver a new a hybrid complex featuring a 1,000-seat conference hall, 150-set concert hall, a reception, exhibition areas, plenary rooms, a restaurant, press centre and auxiliary ،es.

Submissions will be judged 35 per cent on their spatial quality, 25 per cent on their promotion of local iden،y, 15 per cent on their sustainability, 10 per cent on deliverability and 15 per cent on construction met،ds.

The winning team will receive a £43,800 (100,000 BAM) prize and be invited to negotiate for the design contract. A second prize of £17,500 (40,000 BAM) and third prize of £8,700 (20,000 BAM) will also be awarded.