Annual exhibition of the Faculty of Architecture: 49 works presented, best projects awarded
The third annual exhibition of student works from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Montenegro, titled "Project of the Year 2023/24," was opened last night in the lobby of the Technical Faculties building at the University of Montenegro. (Photo)
A total of 49 student works, selected by the mentoring team, were showcased, ranging from first-year to final-year studies across four categories: Architectural Project, Urban Project, Theoretical-Research Work, and Master’s Thesis.
– Although, I must admit, we are perhaps a bit tired from the numerous events we’ve had on the architectural scene over the past month, I consider this one to be the most significant. Presenting the results of a year’s worth of student work to the public is an exceptionally important and responsible act, especially knowing that these young people will soon be shaping the future architectural and urban scene and managing space after they leave school. It is particularly heartening that the Project of the Year exhibition is being held in the new lobby of the Technical Faculties building, with the hope that the next one will take place in our own facility – stated the exhibition moderator, Assistant Professor Dr. Ema Alihodžić-Jašarović.
The exhibition was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Professor Dr. Svetlana Perović.
– It is a pleasure to be here tonight, in this representative, revitalized gallery space, to showcase the results of the activities of our students and their mentors from the past academic year in the best possible light and all in one place. Let me remind you that the Project of the Year exhibition was established in 2002 to mark two decades since the founding of the Architecture program at the University of Montenegro, with the aim of continuously presenting the results of our students’ work to the professional and cultural public, as well as for internal comparison of outcomes within the diverse project tasks and teaching subjects. We are particularly pleased to award recognitions for the best-rated works among the 49 presented, evaluated by external experts, as this serves as additional motivation for students to further excel in addressing project tasks as part of their academic obligations – said Perović.
She emphasized that this exhibition serves as a knowledge platform for generations of students and their future professional success.
– The energy radiating from this gallery tonight is filled with creativity and perseverance, but also highlights the importance of academic education and the role of the Faculty in shaping professional identities – Perović added.
Energy, originality, and creativity were evident in each project. The works included interior design concepts, eco-houses, revitalization projects, panoramic routes, street-front environments, department stores, a complex dedicated to the Battle of Mojkovac, the interior of the new Faculty of Architecture building, multi-family residential and preschool facilities, and more.
The best Architectural Project of the Year was the "Museum of the Radoje Dakić Factory" with an underground garage and landscaped surroundings, completed as part of the course Architectural Design 7 by the author team Filip Vuković and Lazar Leposavić. The project was created under the mentorship of Professor Dr. Veljko Radulović and teaching assistant MSc Katarina Radević.
The jury, consisting of Professor Dr. Mia Roth Čerina (Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb), Professor Dr. Saša Čvoro (Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geodesy, University of Banja Luka), and Dr. Sonja Radović-Jelovac (Studio Synthesis, Montenegro), highlighted in their explanation that the "Museum of the Radoje Dakić Factory" stands out for its thoughtful blend of architecture and public space, making the cultural facility a central gathering point for the community.
– The unobtrusive form of the building is seamlessly integrated into the urban context, while the green roofs and fluid design create a landscape continuity that makes the space more harmonious. The environmentally responsible architecture does not dominate the space but subtly articulates it. The focus on life in public spaces further emphasizes the importance of integrating cultural and social functions into architectural design – the jury stated in their decision.
The jury in the Urban Project category, consisting of Professor Dr. Aleksandra Đukić (Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade), Assistant Professor Dr. Marina Carević Tomić (Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad), and Duška Mačić (Chief City Architect of Podgorica), unanimously awarded 100 points to the project "Reactivation of the Street Environment," completed as part of the course Urban Design 1 by the author team Pajo Vasović, Adnan Vukić, and Amir Čikić. Their mentors were Professor Dr. Svetlana Perović and Assistant Professor Dr. Jelena Bajić-Šestović.
– The selected project is characterized by a contemporary approach to redesigning and reactivating a street segment, applying inclusive methods and sustainable urban design principles to preserve its identity. We particularly commend the students consideration of open public space networks (streets and squares) and their focus on pedestrian flow and perspective. The marketplace design is skillfully integrated into the street ensemble without compromising its visual identity. The balance between contemporary and traditional architecture is harmonious and well-matched. The careful approach to remodeling the street front and activating ground-floor levels along the route demonstrates a strong sense of both the whole and the details – the jury concluded in its explanation.
A unanimous decision was also made in the third category, Theoretical-Research Project. The jury, consisting of Professor Dr. Senka Ibrišimbegović (Faculty of Architecture, University of Sarajevo), Assistant Professor Dr. Milena Kordić (Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade), and Professor Dr. Milena Krklješ (Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad), selected the "Memorial Complex Dedicated to the Battle of Mojkovac" at Bojna Njiva in Mojkovac, which was also the subject of an international competition. The project was authored by Rinesa Ganić and Mirjana Golubović, under the mentorship of Assistant Professor Dr. Ema Alihodžić-Jašarović, MSc Nemanja Milićević, and Dr. Marija Milikić.
– The Memorial Center project at Bojna Njiva stands out for its profound symbolism and innovative approach to memorial architecture. The central element, a network of columns, symbolizes the victims of the Battle of Mojkovac, with each column representing an individual memory. This spatial concept allows visitors to move, reflect, and interact personally with the space, bringing historical narratives to life and symbolizing the struggle through history. The carefully designed pathway guides visitors through the site, providing an intimate experience of shared heritage and transforming the space into a site of remembrance, education, and inspiration. This project redefines memorial architecture with its spatial poetics and universality, earning recognition for its best concept and execution – the jurys explanation stated.
After two rounds of voting, the jury, consisting of Professor Dr. Milena Krklješ (Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad), Professor Dr. Senka Ibrišimbegović (Faculty of Architecture, University of Sarajevo), and Assistant Professor Dr. Milena Kordić (Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade), in the newly established Master’s Thesis category, decided to award two prizes to Jana Dragaš and Anđela Bubanja.
Jana Dragaš was recognized for her master’s thesis "Re-use as a Strategy for Preserving the Identity of Podgorica: A Case Study of the Former Department Store NAMA," under the mentorship of Professor Dr. Slavica Stamatović Vučković and MSc Danilo Bulatović.
– The thesis explores the repurposing of socialist architectural heritage, focusing on the former NAMA department store in Podgorica. Through the application of the "re-use" strategy, the buildings integrity and the urban landscapes identity are preserved while adapting it to contemporary community needs. The proposed solution employs sustainable principles and local resources, providing a model for the revitalization of architectural heritage in Podgorica and beyond. The work contributes to preserving cultural identity, economic and ecological development, while affirming the values of socialist architecture. Its interdisciplinarity and practical applicability make it deserving of recognition for the best concept and execution – the jurys explanation stated.
Anđela Bubanja developed a project titled "Developmental Perspective of Panoramic Routes: Architectural Solutions for Affirming Montenegro’s Landscape Identity." Her mentors were Assistant Professor Dr. Ema Alihodžić-Jašarović, MSc Sanja Sekulović, and MSc Nikolina Raičković. This project was nominated for the Piranesi Award in the student projects category this year.
– The project for enhancing Montenegros panoramic routes is distinguished by its sustainable and innovative approach to leveraging natural and cultural potentials, particularly the "Sea to Mountains" route. Conceptual solutions, including a museum, observation deck, platform, and other key facilities, were designed in line with the local context, principles of sustainable development, and environmental protection. The project affirms landscape identity through the revitalization of infrastructure and the creation of attractive amenities, contributing to sustainable tourism while harmoniously blending architecture with nature. Its interdisciplinarity and contributions to heritage preservation and promotion make it deserving of recognition for the best concept and execution – the jurys explanation stated.
The exhibition’s organizing team included Assistant Professor Dr. Ema Alihodžić-Jašarović, MSc Sanja Sekulović, MSc Nikola Bajović, MSc Sara Tomić, and Elena Simović.
The exhibition will remain open until December 20 of this year.