In 2011, the City of Slavonski Brod, wishing to revive the character and work of its fellow citizen Ivana Brlić Mažuranić, embarked on a project of rebuilding the old house Brlić, a protected cultural asset in which she lived. The complete renovation was a part of the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020 with the project proposal Integrated Programme - The Interpretation Center of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, worth over 16 million kuna.
Through the design and multimedia installation of the Interpretation Center of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić Center, Slavonski Brod gained a new tourist attraction dedicated to the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage and memories of the famous fairytale writer.
The city of Slavonski Brod has decided to revitalize the house of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić by combining the traditional house setting and the modern authentic restoration in order to promote contemporary communication with visitors and create space for an interactive creative center.
The challenge of this project was to design and equip the house with various multimedia solutions that connect tradition with modern setting and enable visitors to dive into the magical world of some of the the most beautiful fairy tales ever told.
The house has been enriched with commemorative multimedia and interactive content in order to appeal to all generations as much as possible. In this way, the Brlić house becomes a space that follows global trends in the development of cultural and literary tourism, with special emphasis on the education of children and youth.
Equipment for the holographic projections, equipment for interactive exhibition points including two wall interactive systems (55 “and 43”), three tablets (10.1 “), four projection systems, a wall frame system comprised of 8 tablets (10.1 “), interactive and non-interactive applications, a web site and a central system for managing and administration of multimedia systems.
After the renovation of the ground floor, the Brlić house received a wider tourist and cultural function. In addition to the information center for visitors, there is also a souvenir shop and a place to welcome children as part of the event “In the fairy-tale world of Ivana Brlić Mažuranić” and various other occasions. Also, the ground floor of the house will serve as a public library and a public space in which citizens will be able to read newspapers and hang out.
The first floor of the house is presented as the Brlić apartment, which consists of two parlors, a library, a bedroom, and a children's room which are all authentic and contain all the furniture and inventory from the time that Ivana Brlić Mažuranić lived and wrote.
In the attic of the house there is a multipurpose gallery space intended for literary arts, literary evenings and cultural presentations. In the basement of Brlić house there is a multipurpose hall that will serve as a space for events, food and drink tastings and presentations.
Visitors to the interpretation center will be guided through the space by a special mobile application, i.e. a mobile guide, and in each room they will be able to choose a part of the application that will guide them through the story according to the thematic units. In addition to the house space, the application will serve as a guide in the area of the yard.
As part of the project, two outdoor multimedia totems were also installed.
A web site has been created within the project containing various interesting features about Ivana Brlic Mazuranic's life, project information and a link to a mobile application.
By opening the newly renovated space on the central city square, as well as by creating new digital content that will be globally available, the city and its tourist community have the opportunity to support and brand many new activities and events.