24/07/2025
We present our competition proposal for the Trade Fair and Congress Center in Podgorica, Montenegro , developed in collaboration with BASS Studio (Gostivar) and AUTARC (Linz).
✨Conceptual Design Summary
The Podgorica Exhibition and Conference Center is conceived as a floating, four-storey monolith poised above an open and naturally ventilated parking deck. This architectural gesture not only liberates the ground plane but creates a strong visual identity — a compact, rectilinear volume draped in a delicately patterned façade inspired by Montenegro’s traditional embroidery art, blending cultural heritage with contemporary design.
✨Material and Environmental Strategy
The structure employs a hybrid construction system: reinforced concrete columns provide the load-bearing skeleton, complemented by timber and steel components for structural spans. Ventilation strategies are deeply inspired by vernacular architecture — wind towers paired with subterranean channels create passive cooling systems. These low-tech principles are supported by air/water heat pumps, building core activation, and photovoltaic roof panels, optimizing energy use while embracing bioclimatic design.
✨Urban Integration
Beyond the building itself, the design proposes a network of elevated pedestrian and bicycle paths, linking the center directly to Podgorica’s urban fabric and railway station. This prioritization of soft mobility over vehicular dominance aligns with contemporary urban sustainability goals and enhances the civic accessibility of the project.
