Porto Montenegro Landscape & Public Realm

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A former off limit 11-hectare submarine base has been transformed into a contemporary marina side village rich in biodiversity and accessible to all.

Porto Montenegro is located on the Adriatic coastline near the Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO world heritage site. The team at Realm (previously called ReardonSmith Landscape) were appointed to undertake a sitewide study and appraisal of the recently built public realm at Porto Montenegro.

The brief was to review and recommend opportunities for improving the landscape offer and character of the marina, with additional planting to strengthen the biodiversity of the site and to soften the architecture.

The design includes a series of landmark links and streetscape planting proposals, which were implemented to improve the human scale of the space and create opportunities to sit and dwell in the shelter and shade. Side streets were also upgraded with feature pot planting, and a sitewide climber planting strategy was implemented, to create colour and scent through the seasons on blank facades.

Sensitive design and plant selection achieved a series of stunning terraces which can be appreciated and viewed by passers-by in the streets below, creating a cooling greening affect and adding to the street scene. The planting scheme balances evergreen species with spring and summer flowering deciduous species and seasonal flora to create a superb all year-round impact display.

The scheme utilises a simple palette of local stone and Mediterranean planting to create a strong character for the new development. Subtle manipulation of levels affords new views and visual links to the galleries and restaurants along the harbour wall, while a new roof garden over a retail block significantly increases the public amenity.

The site acts as a gateway from the town into the marina site, and key to its success is the pedestrian permeability through the site at ground level, influenced by the nearby old town squares of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.