The power plant complex

address: Vodovodna Street 26
Period: Secession/Art Noveau
Kind: Immovable material heritage
Century: 20
Year: 1908
Purpose: industrial

The original plan was to build a hydro-thermal power plant on Grohovo. The drafts were made by Pal Holfeld in 1903. He provided for a regulation of the Rječina river in order to ensure sufficient water flow for driving the turbines. Afterwards, the drafts were completed by Giuseppe Giordano. However, the hydro-thermal power plant on Grohovo was never constructed. Instead, the Zvir thermal power plant was realized. During construction, the existing architectural plan from 1906 was used, which was initially made for the Grohovo plant by the architects Rupčić and Szüko. The thermal power plant was commissioned on 3 May 1908. The powerhouse was located in two buildings, interconnected like a basilica gemina, with a chimney built on their juncture. Although these are plant facilities, their façade articulation indicates a preplanned aesthetic impression with essential elements of Romanesque Revival pervaded by Art Nouveau elegance which is visible in the shapes of the glass surfaces of the window openings. The façade is divided by a series of large semi-circular openings separated by pilasters that allow for passage of natural light into the spaces of the facility. This plant complex stylistically corresponds to the nearby Waste Incinerator from 1905. The power plant’s inner space was architecturally divided into three parts. The southern part housed the machine hall, the central part the boiler room and northern part the workshop. Today, these facilities are not in use.

Valorization:

The thermoelectritc plant complex has been categorized as cultural good. Its value has been acknowledged, so some activities have been done to protect the buildings from further ruin, at least partially. The roof was replaced a few years ago (the material was not adequate).