Biennial Exhibition 2021

“ICONIC NOMADS” are formed and mature as spokespersons of local cultures. They are carriers of collective and personal identity and, as such, participate in creating a global village, incorporating elements of diversity and establishing new socio-cultural networks. We posed several questions to architects and architecture:What are the needs of Iconic Nomads? What are the main characteristics of their shelter/home? How do they interact? How does their network of shelters look alike? Is it a global village? We assume that Iconic Nomads have unique needs that reflect their nomadic lifestyle, such as portability of various cultures and structures, durability, and adaptability to various environments. Their shelters or homes are often characterized by simplicity, functionality, and a deep connection to nature. They interact with their surroundings and with other nomads through shared experiences, traditions, and knowledge. Their network of shelters may vary in design and construction but is united by a sense of community and belonging, creating a global village that transcends geographical boundaries. Iconic Nomads are constantly on the move, seeking new adventures and connections with fellow nomads. Their homes may be temporary, but their culture of origin, the sense of community and shared values they create, endure wherever they go. Through their open-mindedness and willingness to embrace change, Iconic Nomads inspire others to see the world as a place of endless possibilities and connections. They are not tied down by material possessions but instead find fulfillment in the connections they make and the experiences they share with others on their journey – A word from BAB commissioner dr Tatjana Mrdjenović and curators of the exhibition Arch. Nebojša Glišić and Arch. Dragan Marković

The Fifth Balkan Architectural Biennale 2021 was held in Belgrade, BAB CINEMA, from 8-16th of December 2021. Balkan architects and designers presented themselves through 5 exhibition categories: architecture, urbanism, unrealized projects, interior design and furniture design. As part of 2021 year’s BAB exhibition, the works of the International Architectural Competition “ArXellence 2” realized by Alumil in cooperation with the International Union of Architects (UIA), and conducted in close cooperation with the ICC Council of UIA according to UNESCO standards for architectural competitions. In addition to the main exhibition, the following side events were realized: – International Scientific Conference “Global Village: Shelter for Resilient Living”, – Lectures by Croatian and Serbian architects and designers, – Exhibition with panel discussion “Brutalism in the Balkans – Protection and Reconstruction”, – Exhibition with the professional conference “Modern apartment in Belgrade”.

BAB21 CATALOGUE

Jury of the Fifth BAB

The international jury is divided into two categories:

– Architecture – realized and unrealized buildings and urbanism: Ivan Milošević (Montenegro), Vedran Jukić (Croatia), Ivana Žalac (Croatia), Dean Lah (Slovenia), Dr. Lorenzo Degli Esposti (Italy), Maja Ilić (Bosnia and Herzegovina) , Aleksandar Sasa Zeljic (United States), Aleksandar Milojkovic (Serbia) and Nebosa Antesevic (Serbia).

– Interior and furniture design: Momcilo Ostojic (Serbia), Irena Kilibarda (Serbia), Aleksandar Gusic (Serbia), Emir Salkic (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Zoran Jedrejcic (Croatia / Serbia).

Partners, support and sponsors

In the jubilee year, the 5th Balkan Architectural Biennale was supported by: Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, Sasa Marcheta Foundation, Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Association of Architects of Serbia, Association of Architects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, University of Banja Luka, Society of Architects of Belgrade, Society of Architects of Banja Luka, City of Belgrade, City of Banja Luka and URANIA – space of creation, ISOCARP.

This year’s event was supported by the following companies: ALUMIL (general sponsor), ACO, Baldini Studio, Baumit, Fundermax, hiCAD, JAF, Lafarge, Mara Home, Modular Flooring, STO, Tara Concept, TeamCAD, TEM, Velux Serbia, Wienerberger, Xella Serbia , ACO Croatia, Saint-Gobain, Laufen, Pana Windows, Velux Croatia, Alukönigstahl, Prefa and Keim.

The media partners of the Biennale are Gradnja (general media partner), Grenef, Kuća Stil and Radio Television of Republika Srpska.

BAB team 21

The organization of the fifth BAB was carried out by: Marko Stojanović, Tatjana Mrđenović, Nebojša Glišić, Jelena Nikolić, Dragan Marković, Milena Ivanović, Irena Ilić, Zorana Zlatojević and Đorđe Mandrapa with the help of volunteers: Tamara Lovrić, Una Lolić, Sladjana Mircic, Srdjan Lakic, Stefan Bajic and Sanja Mikic.

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This year’s Balkan Architecture Biennale is organizationally and institutionally supported by the Sasha Marceta Foundation. It was held in December in the magnificent building of the Balkan Cinema, which is undergoing a phase of complete reconstruction under the project of Dr. Diana Adzemovic Andjelkovic, Dr. Vladimir Andjelkovic and Aleksandar Bogojevic.

The event was announced in July 2021 when Arc. Tatjana Mrđenović BAB commissioner,presented main topic of BAB2021: Iconic Nomads in Global Village with special view on relation between contemporary movements in socio-economic trends of corporative capitalism and new nomadic approach to living especially in regards to COVID-19 and their reflection to our everyday living and architecture. Art Historian Marko Stojanović, gave broad picture on Brutalism on Balkan announcing side event Exiition Brutalism on Balkan as antipod to nomadic life, celebrating collectivism, universalism through natural print life on modern architecture. Croatian commissioner, Architect Saša Begovič , gave an inspirational lecture on the latest projects of selected Croatian architects emphasizing organic, decentralized, we can say nomadic approach to new movements in young architectural studios. Through a typology of organic farms, decentralized education buildings, new forms of living Begović presented progressive efforts of Croatian contemporary architecture based on critical observation of local and international influences, traditional materials and contemporary construction techniques.

This year BAB commissioner Tatjana Mrđenović with BAB director Marko Stojanović appointed national commissioners who were responsable for selection of representative works in architecture and urbanism among Balkan countries:

1. Arch. SAŠA BEGOVIĆ – CROATIA,

2. Arch. SONJA RADOVIĆ – JELOVAC – MONTENEGRO,

3. Arch. FLORIAN NEPRAVISHTA – ALBANIA,

4. Arch. IGOR KUVAČ – BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA,

5. Arch. ANA KEČ – SLOVENIA,

6. Arch. ILEANA TOURENU – ROMANIA

7. Arch. MIHAJLO ZINOSKI – NORTH MACEDONIA

8. Arch. NEBOJŠA GLIŠIĆ – SERBIA

CROATIA – HOST COUNTRY

BAB 2021 continues tradition on having a host country among Balkan states. Under the leadership of commissioner from Croatia Arch. Saša Begović, young architectural studios had a special place and importance in Belgrade at the review of the most creative ideas and realizations. The host country was represented by minister od Culture Republic of Croatia. Croatian architects presented their works at Croatian days of Architecture The commissioner from Montenegro Arch Saša Begović showed excellence in organizing Croatian actual state in Architecture and Urbanism. The representative team from Croatia had extraordinary presentation of their reflection on overall topic of 5th BAB: ICONIC NOMADS IN GLOBAL VILLAGE, when they presented organic movement in Croatian contemporary architecture.

The members of international jury in the field of architecture and urbanism were:

1. Ivan Milosevic / MNG

2. Vedran Jukic / CRO

3. Ivana Zalac / CRO

4. Dean Lah / SLO

5. Dr. Lorenzo Degli Esposti / IT

6. Maja Ilic / BIH

7. Aleksandar Sasha Zelic / USA

8. Aleksandar Milojkovic / SERB

9. Nebojsa Antesevic / SERB

The members of international jury in the field of interior design and furniture were:

Interior and furniture design: