Montenegrin academy of sciences and arts competition

Type

Public Building

Design 

2018

Location

Podgorica, Montenegro

Program

Administration facilities for the Academy, Library, Gallery, Event space, Cabinets for members. Built next to the existing building.

Team

DVARP

Dijana Vučinić, Marija Ičević,

with Jovana Miljanić, Jelena Šćepanović

Behind the proposal for new building of Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts is the idea of an open and accessible institution, therefore the space of Academy is presented as transparent and public. This idea is read through specific spaces and programs for academics, but also students and other citizens – library, gallery, spaces for conferences and other gatherings; but also, or more importantly, through vibrant outdoor spaces – lapidarium and small gardens on different levels that lead the visitor to previously mentioned programs. An imperative on the location has been to save the existing forest while building a large structure given in the design brief. So the building is still a monumental house with concrete pedestal but with light and transparent structure above that is set as a backdrop to the existing trees. We have avoided strong lines in the facade in order to avoid conflict with the greenery in the front therefore the visual impact is set with masses and surfaces that blend in. There is an existing building that is kept at the spot it is accessed two ways, with the new Academy by the inclined ramp and through the garden.