ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
CONTENTS
ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
Ivan Rašković
Professor at the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade, President of the Union of Architects of Serbia
Saša Kostić Chief Architect,
Gorana Čanković
Aleksandar Stojanović
Ana Šuman
Nadica Davidović Bureau
Bratislav Tošković Architect
AD HOC DECISIONS AREN’T IN SOCIETY’S INTEREST
I have no dilemma over whether the Army General Staff HQ and the Belgrade Fair, as two architectural masterpieces and symbols of our urban and state identity, should remain protected and should be repurposed following serious consideration and professional consultation
TProfessor at the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade, President of the Union of Architects of Serbia
here isn’t an “ideal” situation anywhere in the world where the principles of our profession are fully respected, but that doesn’t mean that architectural solutions adopted by cities can’t strike a better balance between differing interests. “The City is a ‘living thing’ and is subject to the results of the often-conflicting interests of various formal and informal groups, the logic of capital in a market economy, social relations and the most varied influencing factors of a material and immaterial nature,” says Ivan Rašković, a professor at the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade, who also
serves as president of the Union of Architects of Serbia
If we’re dissatisfied with what we have, or if we want our city to be different in the future, the solutions leading to that are very simple, explains our interlocutor. There are existing regulations that need to be adhered to in planning, design, construction and exploitation phases, new ideas that need to be implemented, needs and desires, and a state that needs to implement those solutions and control their quality. However, that which sounds simple is sometimes very complicated. In this interview, we focused on the current misunderstandings between the archi-
tecture profession and city planners, as well as the solutions available to us.
How much weight does the opinion of the architecture profession hold when it comes to the development of architectural solutions in Belgrade?
— The answer to this question depends on the criteria set and the professional aspect from which you consider the question. If we look comprehensively at what is being built, we could note that the principles of the profession are not respected to a certain extent. On the other hand, we have a contest practise that’s developed IVAN
traditionally since the beginning of the 20th century, and contests are among the most effective instruments to achieve high quality in architecture, because they represent a ‘competition of ideas’. I don’t know how well-known this is, but the solutions for St. Sava Temple, the Church of St. Mark in Belgrade, the Palace of Albania and, for example, the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia all resulted from public architectural contests held between the beginning and the middle of the last century. A total of 13 public, anonymous contests have been tendered since 2018, mostly for capital facilities, and they were tendered by the Government, ministries and other state institutions.
for the Belgrade Fair complex and the Army General Staff HQ? — I logically expect those two masterpieces of architecture and symbols of our urban and national identity to remain under protection; for the exterior of the Army HQ to be restored, while the interior could be redesigned for some new purpose. That building lies within the wider complex of military institutions that were located in that area during the first third of the 19th century, while on the opposite side of Miloša Veliki Street are the buildings of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That’s why the future purpose of the Army HQ should remain administrative, for systemic and security reasons.
WHEN YOU OBSERVE BELGRADE FROM A BIRD’S EYE VIEW, YOU SEE THAT ALMOST ALL STREETS IN THE WIDER CITY CENTRE AREA ARE TREELINED. BUT THAT GREEN “FUND” HAS LONG FACED A KIND OF CONSTRUCTION “AGGRESSION”, WHICH IS WHY IT IS SHRINKING
The Ložionica creative/innovative multifunctional centre at the Mostar junction, the faculty of music and applied arts, and the expansion of ‘Student City’ are just a few of these competitions, and they are all capital investments directed exclusively by the state. As such, if we observe such topics, we see that the profession is respected in the best possible way. On the other hand, I’m sorry to say that such an approach was not taken in the case of the Belgrade Waterfront development. Interestingly, the City of Belgrade’s general plan envisaged a public architecture contest, which would have resulted in many benefits if it had been implemented.
What do you expect in this context when it comes to solutions
ly basis during the most attractive trade fairs. However, this doesn’t mean that the Belgrade Fair complex shouldn’t be preserved in its entirety, because it represents a top work of architecture and urban planning at the world level, and it remains “usable”. New purposes should be defined for both of these complexes, but that should be conducted on the basis of serious expert analysis, and not on ad hoc ideas.
PROFESSION
The Belgrade Fair could likewise be repurposed. The facilities are in good condition, their spatial structure corresponds to the amenities of a spectacle venue and are able to accommodate different contents. The idea of relocating the fairgrounds to the zone in Surčin isn’t illogical – the close proximity of the highway, Belgrade Airport and the access road network renders this location suitable for hosting various exhibitions that would expect tens of thousands of people to visit on a daily basis. The existing Belgrade Fair, although popular and with very good visitor numbers when dedicated events are held, no longer has the required capacity, such as parking for around forty thousand visitors, which is how many arrive on a dai-
One of the key aspects of the Paris 2024 Olympics is the development of solutions that are harmonised with environmental protection standards and strengthen social equality. What do you think Belgrade should learn from this as a positive practice in planning investments pertaining to Expo 2027? — Belgrade is a city that stands on the widest confluence of two rivers in Europe and that makes it a unique location, and when we include the long tradition of greening the streets of Belgrade, we see that we have potential that requires further development and improvement. And, to reiterate, the fact is that facilities that serve the public interest can also house income-generating activities. The two great rivers in our city’s urban zone are public, recreational facilities that simultaneously represent spaces for entertainment, such as the widely-renowned Belgrade ‘splav’ raft venues‚ which represent a kind of brand of our country. Moreover, the Sava and Danube are powerful transport waterways that are important to the European economy. All the things I’ve listed aren’t mutually exclusive; care should be taken to ensure the riverbanks are landscaped and accessible to citizens to the greatest possible extent, that the water is clean and that commercial areas on the banks are gradually relocated to the periphery of the city in a rational and sustainable manner, with their current locations reconstructed and convert-
Contests are among the most effective instruments to achieve high quality in architecture, because they represent a ‘competition of ideas’. It’s a shame this golden rule wasn’t respected in the case of the Belgrade Waterfront development
MIGHT
All decisions are up to us, our citizens, society, the state as a framework for the continued existence and development of our society, and our willingness and readiness to act to our own benefit. Is that not both complex and simple at the same time?
TRANSITION
Care should be taken to ensure the riverbanks are landscaped and accessible to citizens, that the water is clean and that commercial areas on the banks are gradually relocated to the periphery of the city, in a rational and sustainable manner
ed into recreational, residential and sports zones. With considered planning, facilities can be built that will continue their “life” sustainably even after the end of the event for which they were initially created. Alongside the infrastructure being built for that future “life”, it is crucial to have management that will monitor the development of the market and the needs of the milieu in which they operate, and which will successfully address the demands of the future.
— I mentioned in my response to the previous question that Belgrade has a unique location in Europe, a position at the point where two mighty rivers merge. Furthermore, Belgrade’s green “fund” traditionally isn’t negligible. When you observe Belgrade from a bird’s eye view, you see, somewhat surprisingly, that almost all streets in the wider city centre area are treelined, not to mention New Belgrade, which is awash in greenery. Of course, that green “fund”
WITH CONSIDERED PLANNING, FACILITIES CAN BE BUILT THAT WILL CONTINUE THEIR “LIFE” SUSTAINABLY EVEN AFTER EXPO 2027... HERE IT IS CRUCIAL TO HAVE MANAGEMENT THAT WILL MONITOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARKET AND THE NEEDS OF THE MILIEU IN WHICH THEY OPERATE
The Western Balkans is one of the world regions facing stronger consequences of climate change. Major cities around the world are applying green and blue solutions in a big way, in an effort to adapt to these conditions. Could Belgrade implement these kinds of solutions and where would these interventions be possible?
has long faced a kind of construction “aggression”, which is why it is shrinking. There are existing standards stipulating amounts of green areas in a city, from individual plots to the urban agglomeration, and adhering to those standards always ensures there’s enough green space. So, the potential exists!
Finally, innovative solutions also exist in this area; river water purification plants that are also parks with lakes (Budapest); the permaculture concept where greenery within a micro-eco-system is merely renewed and maintained. And – as always in history – it is new ideas that develop the milieu. So, we have rivers (blue) and treelined lanes, parks, meadows (green), and they should be preserved and improved. The solutions are simpler than they might appear to us at first glance; there are existing regulations that need to be adhered to in planning, designing, construction and exploitation phases, while there are new ideas that need to be applied. This is nothing complicated if you want it and, as has always been the case throughout history, everything is in our hands... The citizenry has needs and desires, the state implements them and controls the quality, and that’s all there is to it!
Do we have a critical mass of knowledge for the implementation of such major interventions in the Serbian academy and in the domain of public policies?
— We do, of course. We have a significant number of experts who are competent in this topic, and they are present in all required fields. Recently, for example, the National Architectural Strategy was adopted at the state level and represents a document of strategic importance that conceptualises the field of spatial planning and, particularly importantly, defines the criteria for controlling the quality of processes that result in spatial arrangements. And that’s not all! As such, a platform for action exists in a formal and essential sense. And, again, as always in history, everything is up to us, our citizens, society, the state as a framework for the continued existence and development of our society and... our willingness and readiness to act to our own benefit. Is that not both complex and simple at the same time?
CORPORATE
Bureau Cube Partners, Chief Urban Planner, Head of the Department of Urban and Spatial Planning, Partner
THE CITY NEEDS GREEN ROOFTOPS
Bureau Cube Partners has been expanding its portfolio and list of locations year on year, contributing to the balanced development and urban transformation of Belgrade
Significant demographic expansion makes it necessary to create a high-quality planning solution for the areas covered by the planning document that will develop in the coming years,” emphasises Ana Šuman, Head of the Department of Urban and Spatial Planning at Bureau Cube Partners.
You have amassed 15 years of existence and successful business, while your studio is renowned even beyond Serbia. Does your portfolio and re -
ment and by keeping pace with technological innovations. Accordingly, we aimed to use our portfolio to showcase most of the projects we’ve realised in the recent period. The rebranding happened spontaneously, but was perfectly timed ahead of the preparation of the portfolio and our anniversary.
The city has expanded noticeably in all directions In recent years, turning previously unattractive locations into significant urban points. Does this mean the city is finally developing more evenly?
— Due to significant demographic expansion across the territory of Belgrade in recent years, locations that hadn’t been properly utilised despite marking significant urban points in the city have since been activated or are in the process of activation. There is also evident expansion of the urban zone and transformation of peripheral areas. Through the cumulative action of these urban processes, Belgrade is developing more evenly. A prerequisite for the development and expansion of the city and the transformation of urban and suburban areas is certainly the creation and adoption of planning documentation, as well as the future implementation of these plans through the construction of roads, public utilities infrastructure, and buildings for public, residential, business and commercial purposes.
branding for the anniversary reflect your achievements to date sufficiently?
— Satisfied clients, contributions to the city’s silhouette through original architecture, over a million square metres of designed space, over 250 designed buildings, adopted spatial and urban plans, as well as obtained location conditions and building permits for designed objects, suggest that we are on the right track. We strive to push our boundaries through teamwork, high-quality collaborators, continuous professional develop-
Is the Blister residential/commercial complex one of the projects currently at the centre of your attention?
— The newly designed Blister residential/commercial complex is formed as a standalone structure consisting of four segments and three atriums. Elements of porosity and articulation create a characteristic form with balanced proportions of solid and void spaces, sequentially graded design elements and retained relations. The ground floor’s spatial openness
contributes to its prominence and the upper floors’ rhythm of solid versus void optimises and lightens the structure, while the recessed floors add a subtle, unique and compact architectural concept. Uneven heights and storeys in certain parts and “playful” facades improve the complex’s lighting, sunlight and ventilation, impacting quality of life directly. In addition to greenery at the ground level, the building itself is greened through the introduction of the element of a green roof. The rooftop represents a green oasis and con-
tributes to the improvement of the complex’s ecological aspect.
Considering that Belgrade is a living organism that changes, how difficult is it to preserve all the existing ambience values while simultaneously satisfying modern architectural and urban demands?
— The fact that the city is a living organism that’s changing constantly brings numerous daily challenges in conceptualising planning solutions. Central city zones with rich historical heritage require spe-
cial treatment. Preserving valuable buildings and environments is very important, but so is responding to modern demands for the city’s development and improvement from an architectural and urban aspect. Integrating new, modern buildings and parts of the city with rich heritage represents both a challenge and a responsibility. Looking at numerous examples from world metropolises, we see that one of their qualities is the successful integration of historical heritage and applied modern architectural and urban trends.
NADICA DAVIDOVIĆ
Bureau Cube Partners, Chief Architect, Head of Architectural Design Department, Partner
CORPORATE
15 YEARS OF ARCHITECTURAL EXCELLENCE
Bureau Cube Partners places an emphasis on the role of collaboration and client-driven visions in shaping the future of public architecture
egardless of its impressive figures in terms of square metres designed, Bureau Cube Partners is particularly proud of its significant contribution to the design of public buildings. Speaking in this interview, Nadica Davidović, Chief Architect and Head of the Architectural Design Department at Bureau Cube Partners, shares her insights into the firm’s achievements and challenges in this vital sector.
R“In addition to expertise and the dedication of each member of our team, successful project implementation also demands that we complement each other and believe in the client’s vision that leads us to a common goal and success,” emphasises Davidović.
Expressing Bureau Cube Partners in numbers, you have over 50 architects and more than 250 designed buildings, encompassing over 1 million designed
square metres. Do you consider these achievements worth celebrating?
— We hope this marks the first of many anniversaries, as we celebrate 15 years with our team, collaborators, clients and friends. Despite these impressive figures, we are particularly proud of our contributions to public buildings. Through dedicated work, we’ve improved daily life significantly at the Dr Vukan Čupić Institute for Mother and Child Healthcare of Serbia and have led projects for the reconstruction and extension of the SANU Palace, the campus of the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Institute for the Education of Children and Youth in Belgrade, as well as numerous gerontological centres across the country. In social protection, we’ve not only introduced a modern design approach, but also published engineering guidelines for designing social work centres and public prosecutors’ offices that represent significant advancements in this sector.
How crucial are team synergy and aligning with the client’s vision to successful project execution from conception to completion?
— We take immense pride in our team, which has worked diligently for 15 years, creating and designing spatial structures and environments where the programme, technology, sustainability and daily life converge intelligently. Guided by our clients’ visions, this synergy leads us to a shared goal and success, ultimately materialising through collaboration on numerous projects. For the Tempo Tower residential-commercial complex, we crafted an architectural solution that unquestionably meets the criteria for future attractiveness. Here is more about the project:
The Tempo Tower complex is primarily residential and consists of three previously fragmented
mono volumes integrated into a systemically complex architectural form. Its highest point reaches 120 metres, meeting the criteria for attractiveness, aesthetic distinction and functional richness.
On the lower floors, a multifunctional base has been designed as an urban oasis. Diverse public and commercial facilities open up towards the surroundings, fostering a sense of community and urban interaction. Flexible multifunctional spaces for performances and events, and educational and cultural content, further enrich the base’s offer, ensuring its functional prominence as a hub of social life.
Rising above the base, the residential sections of the complex, extending from the 3rd to the 32nd floor, consist of 443 housing units of various types and layouts, offering a diverse range of living experiences tailored to the needs and preferences of contemporary urban residents.
Additional functional amenities are housed at the top of the
tower, on the 33rd and 34th floors, and include a spa centre with a pool and a panoramic restaurant. These facilities provide spectacular views of the city and its surroundings, as well as high-quality recreational and relaxation amenities.
These features undoubtedly add extra value and attractiveness to the Tempo Tower complex, positioning it as a potential urban landmark and strategic site for analysing and developing the city’s urban matrix.
Do you embrace unique, bold and recognisable original solutions in your designs, even under the scrutiny of the professional public and end-users?
— For our architectural studio, each new project presents a challenge in which the pursuit of uniqueness in design and creation, in most cases, has positive reactions from the milieu, which additionally encourages and satisfies each of us. Still, we can’t expect there to be no public criti-
cism or propositions regarding our work. Rather, we deal with that constructively, using it as an opportunity to develop further and enhance our ideas and approach-
WE TAKE IMMENSE PRIDE IN OUR TEAM, WHICH HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY FOR 15 YEARS, CREATING AND DESIGNING SPATIAL STRUCTURES AND ENVIRONMENTS WHERE THE PROGRAMME, TECHNOLOGY,
SUSTAINABILITY AND DAILY LIFE CONVERGE INTELLIGENTLY
es. Through such dynamics, our architectural studio continues to grow and evolve, creating projects that are not only aesthetically and functionally superior, but also socially relevant and adapted to community needs.
SAŠA KOSTIĆ
Bureau Cube Partners, Chief Architect, Head of Project Management Department, Partner
CORPORATE
VISIONARIES CHANGE THE WORLD
Bureau Cube Partners has been distinguishing itself for 15 years, with its exceptional dedication, understanding of the market and the needs and expectations of each investor, as well as global architectural trends
In addition to essential knowledge and professional engagement, project management requires a lot of skills and abilities to ensure successful realisation – says Bureau Cube Partners’ Saša Kostić.
Expertise, efficiency, teamwork and friendly relations ensure successful project management, regardless of the type and scope of work and deadlines. What are the biggest challenges you face?
ject management requires many skills and abilities to ensure successful realisation. While comprehensive expertise, efficiency in work and friendly relations help overcome many challenges, each project also has unforeseen circumstances that everyone faces. The advancement of technology, the increasing use of BIM software and various process monitoring tools contribute significantly to efficiency and reduce the possibility of errors, while allowing the timely identifying and preventing of potential problems.
Bureau Cube Partners distinguishes itself through its exceptional dedication and understanding of the market and the needs of each investor, as well as through global architectural trends. Investors really trust you, which is not so commonplace today.
— There can be no success in this business without teamwork, and there can be no good teamwork without collegiality. Over the past 15 years, we have built a team that makes us very proud. Nurturing and strengthening a team spirit, efficient teamwork and good communication are crucial to successfully overcoming the challenges that can arise when working on complex and demanding projects. In addition to essential knowledge and professional engagement, pro-
— Trust is built through continuous work, dedication and consistency in achieving mutually defined goals and results. After 15 years on the market – an anniversary we celebrated recently with employees, investors and collaborators –a series of successfully completed projects, constant progress and innovative solutions, great dedication, immense effort and commitment, we have built a name that’s synonymous with trust. In today’s dynamic business environment, where investor expectations are high, dedication and professionalism are imperatives. Bureau Cube Partners stands out by providing reliable and innovative support to its clients, resulting in successful projects and investor satisfaction. We are proud of the trust placed in us, without which our work and results would not be achieved at a high level of quality and creativity.
Your bureau designed the project for the Srebrnac hotel complex on Kopaonik mountain, which will feature a glass pool extending from the building
and supported by two columns. Once again, you have pushed the boundaries and raised the bar? — Architects have always been visionaries. We bear the responsibility to shape the daily lives of individuals and the society in which we live. Architectural designs must be characterised by creativity if they are to inspire, challenge and enhance our environment. We strive to push boundaries continuously, from project to project, by applying the latest technologies and monitoring global trends and the latest professional knowhow, with the idea of creating sustainable architecture that equally satisfies aesthetic, functional and ecological standards, inspiring future users and creating “places for people and dynamic communities”, while respecting the context in which architecture arises. The unique expression of the Srebrnac hotel complex on Kopaonik is achieved by creating a continuous open environment without sharp transitional elements that disrupt the fluidity of the composition and its immediate elevation from the terrain, using the height differentials present at the location (more than 12,00 metres) and thus creating a direct connection with the natural surroundings. The building represents a cut into the terrain, forming a new contour line along which
part of the terrain “descends”, forming the ground floor level of the building, while the other part rises from the terrain, forming the part of the building housing apartments and accompanying facilities. The floors, with their accentuated horizontals, give the impression of unity with the existing terrain, from the ground floor as a transparent glass cube, through the upper floors, which – with the established rhythm of solid versus void – reduce their occupation on each higher floor up to the recessed floor, making the architectural concept lighter and subtler, yet compact, unique and effective. The courage of our solutions stems from the synergy of understanding the needs of the user and the desire to improve the quality of daily life, but primarily from an immense love for architecture and inventive creation. It is precisely this combination of understanding, passion and courage that enables us to create such spaces that push boundaries.
Project management is one of the key aspects that ensures the success of a project. This process requires an understanding of both artistic and engineering principles, but also market demands, cost management etc.? — Project management is a complex process that encompasses all
aspects of a project, actively participating in all phases from the initial idea to final realisation. This approach allows us to ensure that each project is completed successfully, with the careful monitoring of individual steps and all project phases. The key to success is clearly defined goals and strategies that enable the efficient use of all resources and the best possible coordination of design teams. Risk management, progress assessment and monitoring, and
WE ARE PROUD OF THE TRUST PLACED IN US, WITHOUT WHICH OUR WORK AND RESULTS WOULD NOT BE ACHIEVED AT SUCH A HIGH LEVEL OF QUALITY AND CREATIVITY
adapting to market changes, are all necessary elements that ensure the project stays on the right track. Effective project management also involves transparent communication with all participants to ensure that all goals and expectations are clearly set. In this way, we can satisfy investor expectations, meet deadlines, and stay within budgets while achieving high standards of quality and innovation in design.
GORANA ČANKOVIĆ
Executive Director, Energoprojekt Urbanism and Architecture Ltd.
Here we discuss with the company’s executive director, Gorana Čanković, the business successes and endeavours from the rich portfolio of one of our country’s most renowned companies, hundreds of representative buildings constructed globally, challenges of contemporary architecture, construction and urban planning, current projects and plans for the future.
Given that you’ve been with Energoprojekt for 20 years, you are undoubtedly familiar with its illustrious past. How have you and your team worked to restore the company’s former glory?
— Since its inception in 1951, Energoprojekt has grown into a complex business system for designing, consulting, engineering and executing complex projects worldwide. Over more than seven decades of operations in the country and more than 70 countries across four continents, we have established and maintained high professional standards and become synonymous with reliability and excellence.
For decades, Energoprojekt Urbanism and Architecture’s business was based in
ENERGOPROJEKT’S VISION FOR MODERN ARCHITECTURE
Energoprojekt Urbanism and Architecture Ltd. is a design firm that has been part of the Energoprojekt system, comprising seven registered companies in Serbia and over 10 subsidiaries and joint ventures abroad, for more than seven decades. Energoprojekt’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning has produced architects who’ve left golden marks on the company, across the history of Serbian architecture, and in many cities and countries worldwide
foreign markets. And yet, over the last five years, we have focused almost entirely on the domestic market, thus better acquainting the local public our work. Our position today primarily involves taking on challenging engineering structures that require ‘large’ special licenses. We have acquired these licenses over the years, by working on reference objects worldwide and public buildings of significance to the city and the state.
Regarding the projects that have had a major impact on the city and the state, which ones would you single out as being the most significant?
— Choosing just a few is difficult, but here are some that we’ve designed and built in the last five years... Among them is certainly the Belgrade Tower of the Belgrade Waterfront complex, which will house an exclusive hotel and a section with luxury, branded apartments. This new Belgrade landmark has 40 floors, covers an area of 65,815 square metres
and stands 168 metres tall. We have also worked on projects for the Chinese Cultural Centre in New Belgrade, Ada Mall Shopping Centre in Belgrade and the Park 11 Residential and Business Complex in New Belgrade.
In addition to these projects, we’ve also worked on designing public purpose and state administration buildings, including the Court in Kruševac, Science and Technology Park Belgrade, the Development and Industrial Park in Kruševac and Science and Technology Park Čačak. I must mention our longstanding successful cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Administration for the Enforcement of Penal Sanctions. For them, we have designed facilities at the Penal Institutions in Sremska Mitrovica, Požarevac, Niš, Ćuprija and Belgrade, as well as special complexes built according to the highest global standards: Penal Institutions in Kragujevac, Kruševac and Subotica.
I would like to note that we have also worked extensively on our investments, the most current of which is the residential complex ‘Kosa Quarter’ on Belgrade’s Bežanijska Kosa and the residential-business building opposite the CORPORATE
Palace of Serbia in New Belgrade, 65 metres tall and covering 68,660 square metres. Both buildings are currently under construction.
With Belgrade transforming into a city of cranes over the past seven to eight years and construction booming across Serbia, would you consider this a golden age for the construction industry?
— Yes, you are right... The construction sector in Serbia is being intensively renewed and is growing with large, demanding projects. As a positive shift that favours the development of the construction industry, I would highlight that, over the past five years, a lot of new public buildings have indeed been planned and realised, as have numerous reconstruction and renovation works on facilities in the fields of healthcare, education, sports and various state administration buildings...
Numerous amendments and legal facilitations have been made in the construction field in order to shorten procedures to obtain building and usage permits. Despite this, numerous issues related to procedural steps remain during the obtaining of permits and consents, which represent a significant burden on both investors and designers.
It is therefore important to highlight that large projects require large companies which can, as a system, provide investors with a complete service, from design to execution, and can thus guarantee the safety and stability of the investment, and we certainly count among such companies.
Given the influx of foreign and domestic companies, does your company embrace this competition without concern?
— We primarily believe that there is work for everyone, and especially for those of us that have proven ourselves over previous decades. We always align our projects with local economic, social and cultural conditions, and align our architectural expression with local building heritage. We apply advanced technical knowledge and ensure the highest level of quality compatible with international standards and prac-
ENERGOPROJEKT HAS GROWN INTO A COMPLEX BUSINESS SYSTEM FOR DESIGNING, CONSULTING, ENGINEERING AND EXECUTING COMPLEX PROJECTS WORLDWIDE
tices. Our multidisciplinary team of architects, planners, urban planners, engineers and consultants is guided by the needs and requirements of clients who often return to us because we show our full commitment to the project, from the conceptual solution to the successful completion of construction works, all at competitive prices. How has the new era’s introduction
of advanced technologies and innovative materials, as well as its focus on sustainability. impacted design and construction in your projects?
Our company has always endeavoured to meet the demands of clients and the market and to offer optimal design solutions for a certain period, even moving ahead of time. When it comes to sustainability, investors increasingly require design solutions that can form the basis for a building to obtain a ‘green certificate’, the application of ‘smart’ systems, energy efficiency and savings, both in the construction phase and in the exploitation of the building.
Could you share some insights into your upcoming plans and future construction projects?
— Despite complex economic and social conditions and strong competition, Energoprojekt is today, in this time full of challenges, creating a stake for the future and lasting values, with the ambition to remain at the forefront of Serbian construction. In the coming period, we plan to develop our investments further, mostly in residential-commercial purpose buildings. I hope that many new public-purpose buildings will be planned in Belgrade and Serbia, to which our company can contribute through design, professional supervision and construction. We are expecting to design a business complex for RATEL in Dobanovci and to reconstruct and expand facilities of the PIO fund in several cities in Serbia, but also a project for the reconstruction and expansion of KBC Zemun and new projects for the Ministry of Justice...
Belgrade Waterfront – “Kula Belgrade”
Chinese Cultural Center
VISION, CHALLENGES AND THE FUTURE OF URBAN PLANNING
At Kapaprojekt they believe that the future of urban planning and architecture will be marked by an ever greater focus on sustainability, quality of life and innovation, as well as the combining of luxury, functionality and environmental awareness
ALEKSANDAR STOJANOVIĆ
CEO And Chief Design Architect, Kapaprojekt
rojects like Planet Residence, which is inspired by the needs of modern families and individuals, set new standards. We hope that we will inspire other architects and investors to pursue a similar approach,” says Aleksandar Stojanović, who, together with his team, overcomes all professional challenges successfully.
PPlanet Residence has become a symbol of modern housing in Serbia’s south. Could you tell us more about your vision for this project?
— Planet Residence really is a special project for us. Our vision was to create a residential complex that not only meets the modern needs of housing, but also sets new standards in architecture and urban planning. Inspired by the needs of modern families and individuals, we conceived a building that reflects the dynamics of modern urban life, combining aesthetic appeal with functionality.
scape. The top floors rise in steps towards the centre, thus creating unique panoramic views and an additional dimension to the space. This design enables maximum natural lighting to enter all apartments, which is crucial to creating a pleasant and healthy living space.
Common areas play an important role in your project. Could you tell us more about the park on the roof of the mezzanine?
— Our goal was to create spaces that connect residents and enable them to spend quality time outdoors. The park on the mezzanine roof provides a sense of privacy and security in an urban environment,
Exceptionally high-quality surfaces and pronounced mezzanine constructions that transition into spacious balconies provide tenants not only with aesthetic enjoyment, but also practicality. Every “step” of this complex is greened, creating a harmonious fusion between urban life and nature.
What were the biggest challenges faced during this project’s implementation and how did you overcome them?
— The biggest challenges were coordinating the different teams and ensuring that every aspect of the design was executed with precision. We succeeded in overcoming these challenges by using BIM software and by working closely with all parties involved. Our dedication to detail and innovation has allowed us to create a space that satisfies the highest standards of housing.
The building has an impressive shape in the form of the cyrilic letter “П” and is 13 floors tall. How did you end up with this design and what did you want to achieve with it?
— Its shape in the form of the letter “П” represents the key to creating a dynamic silhouette that dominates the urban land-
offering a space to relax and enjoy nature by creating a harmonious fusion between urban development and nature.
How does the use of luxury materials contribute to the building’s overall impression and functionality?
— The use of luxury materials on the building’s façade and interior isn’t merely an aesthetic choice, but also a functional one.
What kind of future do you see for urban planning and architecture in Serbia, particularly in light of projects like Planet Residence?
— I believe that the future of urban developments and architecture in Serbia will be marked by an ever greater focus on sustainability, quality of life and innovation. Projects like Planet Residence set new standards and demonstrate that it is possible to combine luxury, functionality and environmental awareness. We hope that we will inspire other architects and investors to pursue a similar approach, thus creating spaces that aren’t only aesthetically appealing, but are also functional and sustainable.
BRATISLAV TOŠKOVIĆ
architect
INTERVIEW
ARCHITECTURE IS A MIRROR OF THE CULTURE OF SOCIAL DIALOGUE
One of the most frequent questions I’ve been asked by media in recent months is “how will the Memorial Centre look?”, and my answer is that it will look the same as the dialogue that results in its emergence
The general public recently had an opportunity to get acquainted with Bratislav
Tošković, a Serbian architect who has spent years living and working in Finland, when multiple media
articles appeared presenting him as a member of the Multidisciplinary Team and Working Group tasked with creating the future memorial centre for the tragedy that occurred at Belgrade’s Vladislav Ribnikar Primary School. A select-
ed vocabulary, prudence in communication and pointing to what really matters in considering the search for a solution to respond to this painful issue all demonstrate our interlocutor’s conviction that architecture is a product of dialogue. This interview touches on all the topics that cause the public of Belgrade and Serbia to shudder – from the Memorial Centre to the Belgrade Waterfront and from the Army General Staff HQ to the preservation of cultural heritage, but also the steps that lead to solutions that will render society more inclusive, tolerant and sustainable.
The modern is replacing the old in Belgrade and throughout Serbia, often at the expense of valuable cultural heritage. Could you use a few examples of your work in Finland to show us how it’s possible to reconcile these elements?
— I see Belgrade as a large, pulsating and dynamic field where things are constantly being built and demolished, often unnecessarily. This is all the result of some
dialogue that ultimately materialises and is called architecture. The quality of architecture is merely a reflection of the quality of the dialogue from which it emerged. It isn’t enough for us to have excellent architects if they don’t have a strong enough position in that dialogue. That’s why we end up with the Belgrade Waterfront and Slavija Square, the Fair, the Army General Staff HQ and Expo2027, which, if I’ve been properly informed, are being designed by foreign architects instead of us showing the world the kind of class that we possess.
Sustainability has become the key word in all serious discussions in Finland, and this refers to ecological, cultural, economic and social sustainability. I view cultural sustainability as one of the most important aspects of sustainable construction. It arises in renovation, revitalisation or repurposing processes, when cultural layers develop and the story of the house continues. Demolition is the last option.
When architectural forms outlast their original functions, that opens the way to creative repurposing. Seemingly limiting factors actually lead the way to innovative solutions and represent the seeds of a new, unique identity. A huge industrial hall can thus be converted into a small interior city for 800 inhabitants, and endless dark corridors can be turned into a branched system of small alleys and sunny squares with cafés and kiosks. The “interior city” concept was conceived as the basic idea behind the winning project in a contest for the reconstruction and conversion of an old Ericsson mobile phone factory into a modern and innovative business space. Its successful implementation was followed by two more projects with a similar programme: Metso Automation and ABB Strömberg Park. Over a period spanning more than 20 years, the interior city concept has proven its dependability and
its timeless character as a new genre in architecture. And that would all be lacking if the existing buildings had been demolished and replaced with new ones.
As successful examples of creative repurposing in Belgrade, I would mention Beton Hala (Concrete Hall) and the Silos of the Danube quayside.
The reconstruction and conversion of protected buildings is a special category that’s based on the postulate that the protection status will be respected by all project participants. This is never questioned in Finland, but rather is a given.
Tilkka is a former military hospital in Helsinki city centre, representing a jewel of Finnish white functionalism dating back to 1936 and an icon of national independence. The hospital ceased operations after existing for 70 years. This led to a paradoxical situation in which a functionalist structure designed according to the “form follows function” principle was left without its original function, and every new function must be adapted to its form because it is under the highest level of protection as a cultural asset. After a design and implementation process that lasted four years and was extremely demanding in every respect, Tilkka was successfully converted into a care centre for the elderly, with all accompanying medical services – “function follows form”.
There is also an ecological dimension to the option of preserving existing buildings, even if they aren’t classified as cultural heritage sites.
In an ecological sense, the best material is one that isn’t produced, which is why demolition is always the last option. We need to work to demolish and reconstruct our way of thinking, not our buildings.
The Finnish have a strong collective awareness of the universal importance of green building and all related activities are becoming increasingly better synchronised. For example, Helsinki’s circular
economy cluster programme promotes innovation and operations harmonised with the circular economy principle by bringing together players in the construction sector.
I’m currently working on a project to reconstruct a commercial building that dates back to the 1970s. The building has 600 windows that don’t satisfy contemporary energy requirements and must therefore be replaced. Such old windows would ordinarily be transported to a recycling centre, but we decided to reuse all the glass plates by integrating them into the building’s interior in the form of partition walls. The exterior becomes the interior.
If we were to treat buildings like we treat people, we would have a built environment of higher quality.
I SEE BELGRADE AS A LARGE, PULSATING AND DYNAMIC FIELD WHERE THINGS ARE CONSTANTLY BEING BUILT AND DEMOLISHED, OFTEN UNNECESSARILY
Was it difficult to introduce to Finnish architecture the new way of thinking that you brought with you?
— The only things I brought with me to Finland were a sincere love for my profession and ambition, and everything that followed was just a combination of tenacity, motivation, proper communication and a feeling for the moment. If I contributed to Finnish architecture in any way, then that happened spontaneously and involuntarily, because I take an intuitive approach to design.
Two serendipitous factors were crucial to my 36-year professional career in Finland: the possibility of creating in continuity and unique projects.
I create places – I approach every design project as an opportunity to create a new and recognisa-
ble place that’s given its meaning by architecture: an identity that’s memorable and calls on one to reflect time and again. Each realised project thus fixes a small pixel in the universe and makes the world a better place by just that much.
Every object that I’ve designed is indivisible from its context and that’s what makes them special, while they simultaneously possess some universal values that extend beyond the physical boundaries of the location, values that can be transposed into some other contexts as a thought model.
IF I CONTRIBUTED TO FINNISH ARCHITECTURE IN ANY WAY, THEN THAT HAPPENED
Which aspects of that way of thinking would you transfer to Belgrade?
— I experience architecture as a call to play. That playing creates a new reality, changing our perception of time and space.
My way of thinking isn’t conditioned by context, but there are two contexts living in me simultaneously, defining me as a person and an architect, “tickling” my imagination and driving me towards introspection. This resulted in the 2019 exhibition “Parallel Places” where the exhibited projects are personified fragments of my 30year creative oeuvre that “wander” Belgrade shooting selfies. This refers to the concept of relocating 11
objects from their original context in Finland to different locations in Belgrade, thereby offering a fresh and provocative approach to considering the relationship between architecture and context.
How important is it for today’s architects to take an interdisciplinary approach and how do you achieve that in your own team?
— Architecture is based on teamwork. An interdisciplinary approach has always been applied in architecture, but the current zeitgeist emphasises its importance even more. The intensity of changes, amounts of information, sustainable building, BIM, AI, participatory design, service design and many other aspects have introduced new components to the design process that any responsible architect, as the main coordinator, must consider. Olla Architecture employs 50 professionals of various profiles. Teams are formed very flexibly, depending on the project in question, and each team member is aware of their own task.
Serbia is unfortunately among the countries that have witnessed the terrible tragedy of children being murdered in a mass shooting, which has, among other things, ignited numerous discussions over the fate of that space. How do you view the role of architecture in communicating such deeply traumatic topics?
— Architecture plays one of the key roles, because architecture is first and foremost a dialogue. This is a great tragedy that’s not easy to overcome and process. A painful spot has been created in the very fabric of the city, and no ready-made recipe exists to treat it. This refers to a global phenomenon with local characteristics, because every tragic event is a story in its own right, one that requires a deep understanding of the context and transparent communication
in order to find answers to all the questions that bother us, and those questions include why this tragedy befell us, what are its consequences and what do we need to change in ourselves and society to ensure such things don’t happen to us.
It was with this goal in mind that the parents of the murdered children initiated the formation of a multidisciplinary team to carry out comprehensive consultations with the aim of preparing recommendations and proposals for concrete measures to establish a memorial centre, formulating the conditions of the international architecture concept contest for the Memorial Centre and the selecting of the best solution. The Government of the Republic of Serbia supported this initiative and established a Working Group that’s obliged to implement and conduct these recommendations and measures through its departments.
A very complex public dialogue process was launched, the embodiment of which will be a new spatial whole that comprises the school and the Memorial Centre. The Multidisciplinary Team, of which I am a member, is tasked with creating the framework, guidelines and programme of the international architectural contest, and to participate in its implementation.
However, at this juncture one shouldn’t think about the Memorial Centre as some building, or about how it will look and how big it will be, but rather as a place with which we want to achieve something more. That won’t only be a place to preserve the memory of that terrible event and the children who died, rather it will also be a place that can stimulate society to reflect and foster a culture of remembrance.
One of the most frequent questions I’ve been asked by media in recent months is “how will the Memorial Centre look?”, and my answer is that it will look the same as the dialogue that results in its emergence.