#3 DUBROVNIK
9 - 11 May, 2023Dubrovnik Palace, Croatia
#3 DUBROVNIK
9 - 11 May, 2023Dubrovnik Palace, Croatia
CONCRETE CREATIVITY, BRUTALIST BEAUTY AND A SECRET BUNKER DISCO
For its second European edition, Sessions descended on Dubrovnik for three days of connection, inspiration and regeneration.
Against the backdrop of Dubrovnik Palace Hotel, nestled on the Lapald peninsula between pine forests and the cobalt waters of the Adriatic, hospitality specifiers and suppliers came together to network and share ideas.
Setting the scene for the event, a SOCIAL boat excursion to the island of Kupari on the arrival afternoon gave guests a unique opportunity to explore abandoned resorts from the Yugoslav era, and the concrete structures dotting the Croatian coastline.
At the core of the event was SYNC, a synchronised meetings schedule matching suppliers with specifiers – over xxx meetings took place with xxx A&D practices / hotel groups sitting with over xxx leading design brands.
SYMPOSIA sessions presented guests with a series of thought-provoking talks. Keynote speaker Maroje Mrduljas took to the stage to explore the history of Brutalist architecture on the Croatian coast, while Dubrovnik-born Marko Dabrović of 3LHD explored Croatian culture and its impact on hotel design.
Una Barac of Atellior and Kristina Zanic discussed global trends through a local lens. Tomislav Čeh – Head of Adriatic Sea for PKF – presented performance and pipeline data for the region and beyond. The closing panel tackled the topic of resort development, with design directors from Four Seasons, Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt revealing more of the branded projects on the boards.
SUSTENANCE breakout sessions offered enrichment through stimulating activities. There was a creative plywood workshop with Plyconic, a woodland walk in the hills surrounding Dubrovnik and a hands-on exploration of concrete with Jurica Huljev, founder of Synthesis, whose innovative concrete hi-fi speaker provided the sound system for the evening’s networking.
The event closed with a special SOCIAL in an abandoned socialist-era bunker disco beneath the hotel, reopened especially for SESSIONS guests. A bespoke cocktail menu kept guests fuelled with twists on classic recipes such as ‘Dubrovnik Donkey’ (think Moscow Mule enhanced with Croatian liqueurs), ‘The Cosmonaut’ and ‘Gin and Sputnik’. Sessionistas danced long into the night to a soundtrack of 80s synth pop and power ballads.
VIDEO
GALLERY
AGENDA
ALL DAY
ARRIVALS & CHECK-IN
14:00
SOCIAL: CRUISING THE CONCRETE COASTLINE
An optional afternoon boat trip to the beautifully scenic island of Lokrum, approx 30 mins sail from Dubrovnik Old Town, followed by a short visit to one of the coast’s most significant Brutalist former hotels. Please pre-book via our app.
19:30
SOCIAL: WELCOME RECEPTION & DINNER
A warm welcome from your hosts Sleeper Media and opportunity to meet your fellow guests over sunset drinks.
09:30 - 10:30
SYMPOSIUM - 'BRUTALIST BEAUTY AND MODERNIST MAGIC' – MAROJE MRDULJAS
Maroje Mrduljas, Professor at Zagreb University’s Faculty of Architecture has a particular interest in the modernist structures of former socialist Yugoslavia. He is a renowned author, curator, lecturer and TV host whose documentary series ‘Slumbering Concrete’ lifted the lid on Brutalist icons such as the Haludovo hotel resort and others along the coast. His keynote address for Sessions will look at the history of these compelling buildings and trace the ideas that may still be relevant today.
10:30
COFFEE
10:45 - 12:50
SYNC: SPECIFIER X SUPPLIER MEETINGS PROGRAMME
Our specifiers swap tables for six succinct meetings with our curated selection of suppliers.
12:50 - 14:00
LUNCH: LOOKING OVER THE ADRIATIC
14:00 - 15:25
SYNC: SPECIFIER X SUPPLIER MEETINGS PROGRAMME
More succinct meetings between our curated selection of specifiers and suppliers.
15:25
COFFEE
15:45 - 16:30
SYMPOSIUM - 'EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE' WITH MARKO DABROVIĆ (3LHD)
Dubrovnik-born Marko Dabrović – a founding partner of 3LHD Architects – picks up the Brutalist baton from Maroje, with a deeper dive into Croatian culture and design, and insider insights into how the country’s hospitality scene is rapidly evolving.
16:30 - 18:00
SUSTENANCE 1: PLYCONIC PLAYTIME
Join Helen and Rachel from the east London design studio, Plyconic for a creative plywood workshop. Make your own 3-D relief picture using the play of light and shadow from layers to depict one of the hotels explored during our programme or design your own Brutalist / Modernist building using a PlyForm-Yourself playset.
16:30 - 18:00
SUSTENANCE 2: BRUTALIST BANTER
Your chance to get further immersed in the exceptional depth and knowledge of Maroje Mrduljas, our keynote speaker, as he leads intimate, personal discussions around the topic closest to his heart – the buildings of the former Yugoslavia. Deep down these monolithic structures can stir strong feelings in all of us. Share your thoughts on this polarising era of architectural history whilst discovering the re-purposing possibilities of these monuments of embedded carbon. Maroje is a curator, lecturer and TV host with his own documentary series ‘Slumbering Concrete’.
16:30 - 18:00
SUSTENANCE 3: CONCRETE CREATIONS*
Expect a hands-on exploration of concrete with polymath Jurica Huljev, architect, designer and programmer who founded Synthesis, an atelier that specializes in working with concrete. You will get a deeper understanding of the flexibility of the creative process with concrete as you mould and add finishes to your very own concrete souvenir to take home.
*PLEASE NOTE: ATTENDEES FOR THIS SESSION MUST ATTEND ON BOTH WED & THURS *
16:30 - 18:00
SUSTENANCE 4: WOODLAND WALK
Take a hike along the forest trails and enjoy the panoramic views from picturesque Petka Hill – a leafy natural park that rises up behind the Dubrovnik Palace. Please bring sensible shoes!
18:00
FREE TIME
19:30
SOCIAL: DINNER & DRINKS
09:30 - 10:15
SYMPOSIUM: DESIGN DIALOGUE
Two leading lights of the hospitality design world, both with Croatian backgrounds, discuss and debate global trends through a local lens.
10:15
COFFEE
10:30 - 12:35
SYNC: SPECIFIER X SUPPLIER MEETINGS PROGRAMME
Selected and succinct meetings between suppliers and specifiers
12:35 - 13:45
LUNCH
13:45 - 14:15
SYMPOSIUM - SNAPSHOT
A quick-fire overview of market dynamics & pipeline supply with Caro List of THP. followed by a deeper dive into the Adriatic hotel development sector from Tomislav Čeh, Director | Head of Adriatic Sea, PKF Hospitality.
14:15 - 15:40
SYNC: SPECIFIER X SUPPLIER MEETINGS PROGRAMME
More selected and succinct meetings between suppliers and specifiers
15:40
COFFEE BREAK
16:00 - 17:00
SYMPOSIUM - THE LAST RESORT
Exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into new hotel projects underway with a focus on resort development, featuring guest speakers from some of the world’s biggest hospitality brands.
17:00 - 18:00
SUSTENANCE 1: PLYCONIC PLAYTIME
Join Helen and Rachel from the east London design studio, Plyconic for a creative plywood workshop. Make your own 3-D relief picture using the play of light and shadow from layers to depict one of the hotels explored during our programme or design your own Brutalist / Modernist building using a PlyForm-Yourself playset.
17:00 - 18:00
SUSTENANCE 2: BRUTALIST BANTER
Your chance to get further immersed in the exceptional depth and knowledge of Maroje Mrduljas, our keynote speaker, as he leads intimate, personal discussions around the topic closest to his heart – the buildings of the former Yugoslavia. Deep down these monolithic structures can stir strong feelings in all of us. Share your thoughts on this polarising era of architectural history whilst discovering the re-purposing possibilities of these monuments of embedded carbon. Maroje is a curator, lecturer and TV host with his own documentary series ‘Slumbering Concrete’.
17:00 - 18:00
SUSTENANCE 3: CONCRETE CREATIONS*
Expect a hands-on exploration of concrete with polymath Jurica Huljev, architect, designer and programmer who founded Synthesis, an atelier that specializes in working with concrete. You will get a deeper understanding of the flexibility of the creative process with concrete as you mould and add finishes to your very own concrete souvenir to take home.
*PLEASE NOTE: ATTENDEES FOR THIS SESSION MUST ATTEND ON BOTH WED & THURS *
17:00 - 18:00
SUSTENANCE 4: WOODLAND WALK
Take a hike along the forest trails and enjoy the panoramic views from picturesque Petka Hill – a leafy natural park that rises up behind the Dubrovnik Palace. Please bring sensible shoes!
18:00
FREE TIME
19:30
SOCIAL: FAREWELL DINNER & DRINKS
22:30
SOCIAL: THE SOCIAL(IST) SOIREE
Our afterparty, featuring guest DJ Ivan Krmek, takes place in an abandoned socialist-era disco hidden away at host hotel Dubrovnik Palace.
ALL DAY
CHECK-OUT & GUEST DEPARTURES
SPEAKERS
Paola Mantello
