Regarding the city as a cultural web, the New Maribor Art Gallery can be considered as a neuron, in which the cultural nervous system of the city coagulates. Three characteristic elements define this place within the urban texture. On one hand the river bank of the  Dráva and so the presence of water featuring the natural environment. On the other hand two different characters of the built environment appearing because of its border situation between the historical city centre and the new developments. These factors form those visual and cultural channels, into which this community place will be embedded. Examining the city's community spaces we can define the scale and the typical density and network of void spaces which characterize this local web. With the competition concept we tried to continue the weaving of this web. The strong influential elements flocculated the building to a being-like formation, which is part of the artificial nature.    

URBAN SPACES
For the operation of UGM, at least two different characters of urban spaces are needed. The receiving space is revealing itself. It is suitable for calling the attention, ideal for programs, events; it overlooks to Dráva as a terrace. The area being attached to the children’s museum is more introverted, playground- or park-like; it has to have protecting character because of the events organized for children. Both spaces have uniformly stoned surface, in which the few appearing trees play an emphasized space-marking and symbolic role. The two space parts are in strong connection through the linking corridor of the gallery, which acts as an open street; in this way the possibility of free passing, seeing through and having a meal on either side is provided.

TRAFFIC

With its full opening, the ground floor of the gallery can be part of the street and scene of the noisy urban life. The upper levels are separated from this, helping mental absorption. Visual contact occurs only at certain places and directions, in connection with the rest spaces. The inner vertical and horizontal communication is designed analogously to the cellular organization of the nervous pathways. The strong visual contact to the Dráva enables the visitors’ unambiguous orientation around the complex.  Running in a circle, the horizontal communications form the recurrent nerve pathways. The service rooms can be found under the terrace level in a protected zone, in a closed system.

SCREEN
The neuron system rhymes with the building’s cell-like openings. Both are communication channels. The openings act as a screen from outside, the exterior printed sun-shading can propagate the topical programs from afar. From inside, the cells frame the city’s living pictures like windows.

LIGHTS
The natural light shines in the resting areas of the gallery, which can be used as multi-functional spaces and are suitable for exhibiting less light-sensitive sculptures and installations. The spaces of permanent exhibition are pronouncedly closed cubes.
The natural light plays only a role to create atmosphere. It comes in being diffused on the walls around, with the intention of hiding the source. The designed structure is suitable for positioning artificial light-sources as well. The temporary exhibitions are provided with bigger continuous spaces; their separation can be solved with flexible walls. Closing the narrow light slots all space can be easily darkened in a hidden way. The clarifying lights emphasize the floating appearance of the exhibition-cubes.