Territory of ephemeral spectacle:: Archeology of Time

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture, Belgrade, Serbia

Project idea

Concerning the historical artifacts and the temporal genesis of the site, the project refines and retains different historical periods (archeology) and presents them through the ambiguity of the one element - wall.
On the slope near the Mostarska loop, the configuration of the terrain determined the direction of the beginning of the object - the intersection of the same, and the view of the Sava River. The house provokes the potential for expansion to one of two large rivers in Belgrade. It gives the impression of waking up from the terrain itself and manifesting the object as dominant, within a heterogeneous environment. From the bottom of the hill, there is the Belgrade - Zagreb highway, while the Clinical Center is at the top of the hill. The zone between the two oddities remained unnoticed for many years. It was a by-product of the built.
The center of gravity of the object is the first part that cuts through the slope, almost the entire length, while the second part consists of spaces that test the phenomenon of liminal spaces - the ambiences placed on the sides of the main part. The relation to the environment is realized through a group of micro - spaces, which houses various museum purposes that extend the basic program. The project reinterprets the idea of ​​the modern fortress, and divides it into two basic parts in its form. Access is provided on both sides of the site, and the need for alternative stage content is envisioned on the immanent staircase. The entrance part is located in half, below the arc on the side facade. At the entry-level, ground floor, just before the entrance, terrain passed through the main walls. This is where we come to the juxtaposition of nature and architecture. After the entrance, opposite the info desk, is the first micro space, the service content. There is also a ramp on the ground floor, which communicates with the gallery above. Pasarela on the roof of the building, notices and provokes better solutions for communication through Mostar loop.
Although a museum, in its function, the object imposes heterogeneity in its purpose. Library, outdoor stage, workshop, bridge, utility section. Hybridity is not a new topic in architecture, but what sets this house apart is its ability to be attached to a hospital - the Clinical Center, as its extension. We call it the urban room, which has pushed the boundaries of scale.

Project description

The theme of the project involves the establishment of spirituality through archetypal architectural elements, concerning the context and folk tradition. In search of an example object that evokes a sense of spirituality, the fortress is located. Therefore, the initial intention is to examine ways of translating the existing specific atmosphere within the fort using its known elements. How? Abstract spatial relations and use geometry to establish a new form of interaction between them. The close environment in which the house was erected dictated this decision.
A clinical health center with a facility for the mentally ill is located at the top of a selected hill. By enabling these people to walk, question, and interact with each other in creating the world, the spectacle is created. Spectacle by dictionary is '' an unusual or unexpected event or situation that attracts attention, interest, or disapproval. '' By definition as initiation, we are ready for the immanent. Immanent refers to the inner, what is about to happen. Michel Foucault said that a madman is a genius without action, or a genius without immanent, without spectacle, birth. This interpretation has inspired an exploration of space and moment that may offer rebirth. The project has become an art museum because we believe in the positive impact of art too.

Technical information

In any case, the history of the medieval fortress suggests stone as a building material. It protects against enemies, is durable and symbolizes strength and stability. The enemy in this case is the noisy highway from which the house defends itself. What material most closely matches the description today? Concrete. Purified concrete that reflects every human emotion on its surface. The object was placed in an orthogonal grid, so that the lateral spaces gained their volume. This system is in favor of the sacred geometry used, which has played an important role in the past. A brick was applied to the 6 sidewalls, which complement concrete and suggests antiquity (archeology).
Concrete columns and beams are hidden in the facade. The thickness of the walls varies, from 20 to 80cm. A bridge (pasarela) that starts from the roof area, overcome the Loop and leads to a nearby park. It is constructed of steel profile systems and as columns. Visitors can disengage from the highway and access the parking lot. Warehouses and technical rooms are located in the basement. We mentioned two possible inputs. One is located on the side of the highway. The second is next to the Clinical Center where you enter the underground section. With the ramp, we descend to the ground level and walk to the arc section on the facade, from where we approach the interior of the building. Access to the roof, concrete garden is possible from the inside and without entering the building - using an external ramp.
From whatever angle you look at the object (outside or inside), elements of communication will be seen. Why? Walking, we discover not only architecture, but ourselves in it.

Co-authors

Milan Vujović, Snežana Zlatković