The 46th Salon of Architecture, the most important architectural manifestation in Serbia, ended with the award ceremony 2024 at the Jugoslovenska kinoteka on Friday, April 26th.
The salon was realized by the Museum of Applied Arts (MPU) in cooperation with the Association of Serbian Architectural Practices (ASAP), the Union of Architects of Serbia (UAS), and the Women’s Architectural Society (ŽAD).
This year’s Architecture Salon represented the continuity of carefully established synergy during years of preparation and formation of the first National Architectural Strategy, adopted in mid-2023 and held under the slogan “We have our own policy”.
Photo: Dragana Udovičić
The jury of this year’s Salon of Architecture consists of:
-Dr. Milena Stojković, architect, associate partner, Foster + Partners, London
-Mr. Zoran Abadić, architect, 1×2 studio, associate professor, Faculty of Architecture, Belgrade
-Saša Begović, architect, 3LHD studio, professor, Faculty of Architecture, Zagreb
-Dr. Miljana Zeković, architect, full professor, FTN, Novi Sad, winner of the Grand Prix award at the 45th Salon of Architecture
-Dean Lah, architect, Enota, Ljubljana
unanimously decided to award the Grand Prix of the 46th Salon of Architecture – for the overall contribution to the development of architecture and sustainable construction to the author team of Zabriskie for the project “InGrid – Schneider Electric Hub”, the transformation of the Novkabel industrial hall and the interior of the business building.
We are proud of our author team, which consisted of: Milena Katić, Milka Gnjato, Martina Milošević, Ana Ugrinić, Ivan Zuliani, Ksenija Bajagić, Mila Đorđević, Mirjana Lazić, Staša Simenović, with collaborators Ivan Šuić, Jovana Petrović, Ana Micić and Stefan Nešić.
Here is the official explanation of the jury, which was read at the award ceremony:
“The theme of reconstruction, transformation, modern adaptation and reuse of found, high-quality architectural structures and houses is the most sustainable thing we can do for our cities and contribute to the community and the urban environment at all levels.
The transformation of the industrial hall in the large NovKabel industrial complex in Novi Sad is based on the recognition, preservation, reconstruction and modern reinterpretation of its spatial, constructive and functional qualities. Quality works of heritage industrial architecture are often not recognized as an exceptional spatial potential. Despite the fact that the existing structure was not under protection, the architects treated it as if it were and recognized the found value of the industrial heritage.
It is retained in the existing elements of the prefabricated load-bearing structure, but also in its character, identity and atmosphere of all newly designed spaces and elements.
This large industrial building was treated as a whole, and quality spatial interventions were added to it. The existing structure is defined with prefabricated reinforced concrete supports, and the most important for the transformation of this space was the introduction and strategic placement of four large atriums – open gardens with vegetation in the interior dimensions where employees can rest or work. This introduces greenery and natural light in the middle of the deep plan of the classic hall and thus creates a uniform quality of the work space along the entire depth of the base. Equally important for the spatial organization and functionality was the strategic positioning of the gallery along the perimeter ring, which introduces greenery in that part of the facade, as well as in the atrium, as an important element of the design of the facade, but also the atmosphere of the entire interior. The facade on which these construction elements, their rhythm geometry, but also the division of the interior space can be clearly read, are recognized as values that are retained and emphasized both from the outside and from the inside.
It is important to emphasize that the entire central space of the hall remained free throughout the entire height and without any specific function, in order to serve as an internal public space for interaction of all employees.
The interior concept fully follows the idea of fluidity of space, the concept of creating working scenographies was introduced. A variety of atmospheres, functional zones and formations of mobile furniture within numerous spatial units in which greenery, transparency and light are incorporated into the work space to the greatest extent possible, with a very functional organization at the same time. The design is very simple and efficient, with a careful selection of furniture that provides a functional and comfortable modern workspace for more than 1000 employees.
Through this project and its transformation and adaptation, along with natural and passive green oases and atriums, the building is partially supplied with green energy from its own production, has solar panels on the roof of the buildings as well as a system for collecting rainwater – thus implementing the principles of sustainability and striving towards zero CO2 emissions, and the result is a modern LEED Platinum business facility.
The result is an exceptional building, in all aspects of architecture and interior, technical and applied functional elements, while at the same time achieving the highest standards of energy efficiency, functionality and comfort of a modern workspace.”
Part of the author team Zabriskie: Ivan Zuliani, Milena Katić, Ksenija Bajagić, Martina Milošević, Ana Ugrinić.
Read more about the project and the participants at the link.
You can watch a video showing the building here.
You can watch a video showing how the building transformation process looked like here.
This award for the Zabriskie team represents the crown of the work done so far. The fact that Mrs. Amanda Levete, director of the architectural studio AL_A from London, was present at the award ceremony of the Salon of Architecture was of special importance and contribution to Zabriskie team. Mrs Levete gave lecture witha special focus on the project of the new concert hall of the Belgrade Philharmonic, the project AL_A is working on together with Zabriskie.
Amanda Levete. Photo: Dragana Udovičić
Part of the author team Zabriskie together with Mrs Amanda Levete.
Other awarded works include, among others, colleagues from member firms of the Association of Serbian Architectural Practices – author team Danilo Dangubic Architect for their contribution to multi-family housing architecture for “Skew House”, the audience award was given to the author team MAPA Architects for the project “Tolstoyeva 42” and commendation for creative representation of the competition solution author team AKVS architecture for the “Fruits of leisure” project.
You can watch the complete recording of the lecture and award ceremony on the YT page of the Museum of Applied Arts.