The Regenerator Urban Culture Centre in Zabok has been named the most successful achievement of Croatian architecture in 2025. The "Viktor Kovačić" award from the Association of Croatian Architects was presented to the project authors, MVA / Mikelić Vreš Arhitekti, on 4 July at the opening of the Annual Exhibition of Works by Croatian Female and Male Architects in Zagreb's Maksimir Park.
The jury selected Regenerator from four nominated projects. Also in contention were a nursery school in Bibinje, the NTH office building in Varaždin, and the Račice sports hall in Vodice.
The jury highlighted as the project's greatest value its ability to "generate a new city centre". The complex, built in Zabok's former industrial zone, comprises three buildings arranged around a central square serving as a public gathering space. These house a concert hall, spaces for musicians to rehearse, an art cinema, association premises, a hostel, and workspaces.
The investor in the Regenerator, located on Mladih 2 Street, is the City of Zabok. The authorial team consisted of Marin Mikelić, Tomislav Vreš, Sara Pavlov, and Alma Sekondo. Mikelić and Vreš founded their firm in 2007, and among their previous accolades are the "Vladimir Nazor" award, the Brick Award, and the Grand Prize of the Balkan Architectural Biennale.
Other annual industry awards were also presented at the ceremony. The "Viktor Kovačić" award for lifetime achievement was received by architect Katja Marasović, the "Drago Galić" award for residential architecture by Mirko Buvinić and Vesna Milutin for the Kadmo House in Zagreb, and the "Bernardo Bernardi" award by the team that restored the courtyard of Papalić Palace in Split. Dubravka Kisić received the "Neven Šegvić" award for journalistic work. The annual exhibition in Maksimir is open until 11 July.
