University Center Podgorica

Location: Podgorica,Montenegro
Year: 2023
Project type: Competition
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The location for the construction of a residential-commercial complex with an underground garage is situated in the new central zone of Podgorica, designated for residential and commercial purposes. The spatial markers of the surroundings include larger assemblies of new residential blocks with various activities, which the subject buildings will extend. On one side are the buildings, while on the other side are larger open areas of the University of Montenegro and the Government of Montenegro.

The primary goal was to design a contextual, functional, and architecturally modern complex that will meet the defined urban-technical conditions, maintain spatial connections (between the already built and newly constructed areas, commercial and residential functions, as well as the connections of the space users themselves), stay true to the spirit of the city, respect nature and emphasize its role, while its form and materialization attract and modernize the existing urban block.

By fulfilling all urban conditions and requirements regarding surfaces and plot occupancy rates, a proper volumetry of pronounced symmetry was created, consisting of three cubes (the central building and two towers). The next step was to find ways to connect these cubes to each other and integrate them into the context of the existing masses, which was achieved by introducing a grid and adopting dimensions from the surroundings according to which gaps were placed in the cubes.

The newly formed proportion further breaks the strong symmetry of the buildings. The greenery from the ground level, from its central position, like a light, free path, draws into the buildings, moves along the facade, and disrupts their rigid structure and symmetry while simultaneously connecting them into a unified whole. The forms of the towers and the central building open towards the park at the ground level, thus drawing passersby into the park space. The green path ends on the roofs of the buildings, where it forms a green garden.

The final result is a dynamic facade connected with the park, which attracts passersby, enriches the residential and commercial space, and emphasizes the importance of greenery in a dense urban environment.