Graduation projects
Desert in town: Access denied, E75 2100 : chronotope
Project description
The project is closely related to the topicality of the phenomenon of abandonment in the city. The research in the project starts from the hypothesis that abandoned spaces occur near infrastructure systems, pseudo-spaces that is, non-places, such as highways, loops or intermodal hubs. Accordingly, the subject of the research is the E75 highway, in Belgrade (Serbia), from the Mostar loop to Autokomanda loop, where along the line infrastructure there are several abandoned spaces – Belgrade Beer Industry, camp Topovske šupe from WWII near Autokomanda, abandoned construction sites, as well as the complete absence of pedestrians in the zone highway. The cause of the appearance of abandoned spaces along the highway is partly as a consequence of "reverse urbanism" or as a consequence of historical events in the past where the problem of collective memory occurs. The project is based on the perception of space through the past - present - future relationship and the formation of a chronotope in the form of a speculative narrative, showing the area of the E75 highway in 2100. By analyzing the existing state of the highway space and forming its spatial alternatives (speculation) in the space of the location, a magnet is formed that attracts various natural and architectural elements from the subject area, creating a space-time hub, i.e. chronotope - a certain space evokes a certain time, or vice versa. Analogous to the attraction that the highway has, it is a "magnet" for road traffic, why not become a "magnet" for various architectural and natural elements and thus redefine itself as an infrastructure system? Establishing a chronotope at one point of this large infrastructure system, which "attracts" various elements, in the form of redefining the meaning and relationship of the system itself. On the map of E75 highway, certain architectural assemblies have been selected, from the aspect of micro and macro perception. It is decomposed into research elements. By overlapping the isolated elements and scaling them, different combinations were obtained. Variant solutions have been transformed into their spatial alternatives - speculations, which become the layers of the future stratification mountain composed in the magnetic field. The speculative project shows the space of a hybrid typology. There are visible traces of connecting the two parts of the city that were separated from the highway by joining the traffic network, but also the network of public spaces.
Author's presentation text
Nikola Mitrovic is born in Belgrade, where he graduated from the Architectural Technical School in 2015 as a valedictorian. He graduated in 2020 at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade, in the program of Integrated Bachelor and Master Academic Studies - Architecture under the mentorship of Prof. Milan Vujovic. He obtained his professional practice in 2018 in the architectural bureau re: a.c.t architects (owners: Grozdana Sisovic and Dejan Milanovic). He develops his mentoring skills through teaching, where he has engaged as a teaching associate for several times. The focus of the research is based on a multidisciplinary approach and the achievement of the connection between architecture and urbanism and social sciences, which he plans to continue in Doctoral studies. Nikola is a participant in various student competitions. He has experience in a multicultural group as a participant in several international workshops. Speaks English and German.
