Tons of Steel and Thousands of Anchors in the Service of History: Ingidea Restores the Splendor of Krleža’s Zagreb
The Mark of a Great Master and Krleža’s Footstep
When the great master Kuna Waidmann designed this block, he created more than a building — he created the visual code of an entire neighborhood. His legendary brick façades, that distinctive Rohbau style, became synonymous with strength and character. Through those massive gates in Črnomerec passed thousands of soldiers from the former military district, and among them, in those very same buildings, Miroslav Krleža also spent his days .Right here, in the shadow of Waidmann’s architecture, that the refined, literary spirit of Zagreb was born — the very spirit that can still be felt in the air today.
The Secret Beneath the Foundations: The Invisible Guardians of the City
A little-known fact lies hidden deep beneath the asphalt. Beneath and around this block run forgotten branches of the stream. Črnomerec and KuniščakThese once-open watercourses were the greatest challenge for early builders. In contending with dampness and the whims of groundwater, Waidmann gave the building its distinctive massive foundations, turning an engineering problem into a timeless architectural monument.
Ilica 246, Zagreb
Completion of Structural Restoration – Ilica 246
The value of the restoration works on this building amounted to 1,2 million euros, we entered into a dialogue with the past, carefully peeling away the layers of neglect from Waidmann’s brickwork.
More than 4,000 m² of CRM strengthening was installed, over 8,000 GFRP anchors were placed, more than 900 m² of new timber intermediate floor structure was constructed, over 5 tons of steel were installed, and more than 4,000 m² of walls were plastered. We also removed over 430 m³ of construction debris.
We are exceptionally proud that it was our team who signed off on returning this beauty to its golden age. In restoring it, we were also restoring the memory of the City of Zagreb. We ensured that Krleža’s Zagreb would continue to live on in a modern form. We sincerely hope that the façade restoration will also begin soon, as this beauty truly deserves it.