Youth Area at the Border, Gorizia

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: 5th Studio - Holbrook's architectural practice - proposed the redevelopment of the former Civic Hospital in Gorizia for the competition, 'Youth Area at the Border'. The associated exhibition - 30 x 1, Thirty projects one exhibition - showcased the work at Galleria Dora Bassi (10 March - 3 April 2011) alongside the entries from other international design practices. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: The competition called for strategic, urban planning to activate a currently disused area on the northeastern, Slovenian border of Italy. 5th studio proposed investment in transport to catalyse a new urban quarter that celebrates the diverse cultures between two previously, politically divided towns. Repurposed buildings create new host structures, incorporating adaptable spaces that will accommodate and foster creative events, enterprise and research. This project draws on Holbrook's ongoing design research in developing strategic thinking that explores dynamics between architecture and the scale of infrastructure and landscape, particularly within conservation, environmental sustainability and regeneration projects. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: Led by the Comune di Gorizia (Department for Youth Policy) in partnership with the Friuli-Venezia Giulia city council, the project involves the significant establishment of a new youth hub for the town of Gorizia. The competition was adjudicated by a panel of experts and stakeholders including Giovanni Fraziano (Professor, faculty of Architecture in Trieste) and Maruša Zorec (Faculty of Architecture in Ljubljana). 5th studio's contribution features in the exhibition catalog and a review of the event and the exhibition appeared in 'Il Giornale Dell Architettura' - a significant Italian architecture journal.