Kotor APSS
Basic information
Project Title
Kotor APSS
Full project title
Kotor APSS - Architectural Prison Summer School
Category
Regaining a sense of belonging
Project Description
KotorAPSS has attracted thinkers and scholars involved in educating future architects of the Balkan region but also in forcing public discussions to spark change on many levels. KotorAPSS started off reactivating a massive abandoned structure at the center of the UNESCO Site: The former 19th century prison, reflected in the school‘s name. Its thick walls provided a unique location for focused working experience in hot summers in Adriatic. It has been a hotspot for students in this part of Europe
Geographical Scope
National
Project Region
Montenegro
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
KotorAPSS was located in Boka Kotorska Bay that cuts the Adriatic Montenegrin coast. UNESCO has declared the natural and culture-historical region Kotor a world heritage site in 1979 and the city and the bay have become an increasingly popular location for cruise ship tourism. While local authorities are sticking to the preservation of the past to further develop the cultural heritage as a consumption good for tourists that anchor in high-rise-like cruise ships in front of the city every day, a lack of planning legislations in the past has enabled developers to scatter the landscape with their luxury look-alike resorts.
This is the point of departure for KotorAPSS The Architecture Prison Summer School.
Students have been invited to develop scenarios first for the Prison, and following for other similar abandoned or misused structures and urban plots in Kotor. They have been mentored and guided by experienced professionals to address reuse topic from more sustainable level - How can we address reuse of these structures from a more resilient and sustainable perspective - not only in terms of direct tools that deal with the environment and architectural heritage, but also on an economic and geopolitical level?
Three topics carried out through educational program through seven years resulted in many case studies, researches and frameworks adopted by stakeholders.
The topics included: 2012 “Yellow House” – Old Prison Building; 2013 “Grand Hotel Fjord” – Abandoned Hotel Fjord; 2014 “Resort Kotor“ – abandoned factories in Kotor; 2015 Tourist or Traveler Lecture series; 2016 RE-USE and DEBATE, 2017 APSS Temporary – temporary interventions in abandoned structures; 2018 Crossing Temporary – Mobility issues in Boka Bay.
There are two major directions in KotorAPSS:
-an independent informal inclusive education practice
-developing a reuse model on specific existing issues in an urban tissue that would be sustainable in relation to the environment, economy and program
This is the point of departure for KotorAPSS The Architecture Prison Summer School.
Students have been invited to develop scenarios first for the Prison, and following for other similar abandoned or misused structures and urban plots in Kotor. They have been mentored and guided by experienced professionals to address reuse topic from more sustainable level - How can we address reuse of these structures from a more resilient and sustainable perspective - not only in terms of direct tools that deal with the environment and architectural heritage, but also on an economic and geopolitical level?
Three topics carried out through educational program through seven years resulted in many case studies, researches and frameworks adopted by stakeholders.
The topics included: 2012 “Yellow House” – Old Prison Building; 2013 “Grand Hotel Fjord” – Abandoned Hotel Fjord; 2014 “Resort Kotor“ – abandoned factories in Kotor; 2015 Tourist or Traveler Lecture series; 2016 RE-USE and DEBATE, 2017 APSS Temporary – temporary interventions in abandoned structures; 2018 Crossing Temporary – Mobility issues in Boka Bay.
There are two major directions in KotorAPSS:
-an independent informal inclusive education practice
-developing a reuse model on specific existing issues in an urban tissue that would be sustainable in relation to the environment, economy and program
Key objectives for sustainability
REUSE not DEMOLISH
A reuse model developed through summer school over the years in KotorAPSS has been named as re-use-ism.
While working with students this re-use-ism method has been reshaped and redefined through different buildings while keeping in mind first rule of it: WE DO NOT DEMOLISH. Re-use-ism is not a complicated method, but rather a statement based on popular method of adaptive reuse. An existing building can be totally transformed by using very limited means. Chopping and destroying what is there is the annihilation of culture. And sometimes an unused building is so big and complicated that people do not know how to deal with it. In this case, architects should understand that it is alright to use some parts of it and leave some for later or never to be addressed.
PROGRAM AND SPACE POTENTIAL
Another very strong objective has been about the program and the relation to the spatial potential of the buildings. Forcing a program onto the building can be misleading, causing additional misuse. It is about the potentials and quality of the space and finding the right program that works for it. History of the place is respected but it is not providing answers for contemporary needs. At the same time, new interventions should not negate the history of the building and its spatial framework. New interventions should follow the logic of the building’s timeline.
LARGE SCALE IMPACT
Large scale impact could be read on several key levels. One is that through educational model the objectives and methods are spread further. The idea is that students and young professionals take the knowledge, the ideas and approach with them and when encountering similar issues of misused architecture they use and share principles of reuse and circularity learned in KotorAPSS.
Second level is that once reused these buildings generate new urban life, there is an impact on broader urban context. They also serve as case studies for national stakeholders to use in similar projects
A reuse model developed through summer school over the years in KotorAPSS has been named as re-use-ism.
While working with students this re-use-ism method has been reshaped and redefined through different buildings while keeping in mind first rule of it: WE DO NOT DEMOLISH. Re-use-ism is not a complicated method, but rather a statement based on popular method of adaptive reuse. An existing building can be totally transformed by using very limited means. Chopping and destroying what is there is the annihilation of culture. And sometimes an unused building is so big and complicated that people do not know how to deal with it. In this case, architects should understand that it is alright to use some parts of it and leave some for later or never to be addressed.
PROGRAM AND SPACE POTENTIAL
Another very strong objective has been about the program and the relation to the spatial potential of the buildings. Forcing a program onto the building can be misleading, causing additional misuse. It is about the potentials and quality of the space and finding the right program that works for it. History of the place is respected but it is not providing answers for contemporary needs. At the same time, new interventions should not negate the history of the building and its spatial framework. New interventions should follow the logic of the building’s timeline.
LARGE SCALE IMPACT
Large scale impact could be read on several key levels. One is that through educational model the objectives and methods are spread further. The idea is that students and young professionals take the knowledge, the ideas and approach with them and when encountering similar issues of misused architecture they use and share principles of reuse and circularity learned in KotorAPSS.
Second level is that once reused these buildings generate new urban life, there is an impact on broader urban context. They also serve as case studies for national stakeholders to use in similar projects
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
One of the main objectives was to make these buildings available for everyone, especially for local audience. Tourists are welcome and this is the way to generate income but these spaces should be used all year, should generate new culture and have key role in local development.
Most of the buildings and spaces we have addressed and researched in KotorAPSS have been closed for the public, misused, abandoned and left to decay for decades. These are spectacular spaces of former prison, former grand hotel, former industrial complex.
When these buildings were first constructed, they radiated their builders’ enthusiasm and confidence about the new society they were building. Only a few decades later, these buildings embody the complete opposite: poorly used and maintained, they are a testament to the failure of system.
It is heart-rending that most of these buildings today do little more than monumentalize the failure of past ideologies. People are partly fascinated by and partly abhor the allure of these ruins. But the challenge presented by these buildings is more than just aesthetic: it’s a question of use. These buildings can and should be reused. That the political narratives that motivated their construction originally have disappeared does not make these buildings irrelevant. On the contrary: the visionary surplus of this architecture, still tangible even in its ruinous state, should make us ask ourselves what visions we might have today for these structures.
This is why though the work in summer school KotorAPSS insisted on partially opening the buildings, reactivating them through programs of the summer school: talks, symposiums, theater plays, exhibitions – in order for general public to understand the grandiosity of the spaces within, the importance of heritage and the future possibilities of this architecture.
Most of the buildings and spaces we have addressed and researched in KotorAPSS have been closed for the public, misused, abandoned and left to decay for decades. These are spectacular spaces of former prison, former grand hotel, former industrial complex.
When these buildings were first constructed, they radiated their builders’ enthusiasm and confidence about the new society they were building. Only a few decades later, these buildings embody the complete opposite: poorly used and maintained, they are a testament to the failure of system.
It is heart-rending that most of these buildings today do little more than monumentalize the failure of past ideologies. People are partly fascinated by and partly abhor the allure of these ruins. But the challenge presented by these buildings is more than just aesthetic: it’s a question of use. These buildings can and should be reused. That the political narratives that motivated their construction originally have disappeared does not make these buildings irrelevant. On the contrary: the visionary surplus of this architecture, still tangible even in its ruinous state, should make us ask ourselves what visions we might have today for these structures.
This is why though the work in summer school KotorAPSS insisted on partially opening the buildings, reactivating them through programs of the summer school: talks, symposiums, theater plays, exhibitions – in order for general public to understand the grandiosity of the spaces within, the importance of heritage and the future possibilities of this architecture.
Key objectives for inclusion
One of the main objectives all those years have been involving young professionals and students. It involves research, communication, exchange of ideas, presentation and long-term commitment for many of them through this project. Following the summer school many attendees became researchers on continuation of these projects, many became staff and contributed to bringing up other generations. Students with their ideas, knowledge and drive have always been a key power behind APSS.
Working on the REUSE projects requires involving citizens through the process and making them part of the project as much as the project part of their community and daily lives. This has been done through workshops, symposiums, presentations and exhibition. Each summer school had an open exchange and debate with local people of all ages including historians, architects, artists, local businesses, etc. One of the mechanism was also being part of larger Kotor Art festival with long tradition in local community.
Opening up the buildings for locals has been one of the most important points of exchange and inclusivity. The Prison building has never been open for the public before: KotorAPSS has created 12 different specific programs: exhibitions, theater play, symposiums, presentations, talks – all open for visitors along with guided tours and open doors during the summer school. Hotel Fjord’s empty pool has been used as a conference space during KotorAPSS and as a scenography for Kotor Art theater play.
More importantly staying in touch with local and national political milieu was one of the key objectives. This has brought the visibility of the projects, expanded the knowledge about them, highlighted the importance of reuse and circularity and created agendas for future development.
For example: Ministry of culture has used the project for Prison reconstruction created in KotorAPSS along with the case study and collected funding based on it.
Working on the REUSE projects requires involving citizens through the process and making them part of the project as much as the project part of their community and daily lives. This has been done through workshops, symposiums, presentations and exhibition. Each summer school had an open exchange and debate with local people of all ages including historians, architects, artists, local businesses, etc. One of the mechanism was also being part of larger Kotor Art festival with long tradition in local community.
Opening up the buildings for locals has been one of the most important points of exchange and inclusivity. The Prison building has never been open for the public before: KotorAPSS has created 12 different specific programs: exhibitions, theater play, symposiums, presentations, talks – all open for visitors along with guided tours and open doors during the summer school. Hotel Fjord’s empty pool has been used as a conference space during KotorAPSS and as a scenography for Kotor Art theater play.
More importantly staying in touch with local and national political milieu was one of the key objectives. This has brought the visibility of the projects, expanded the knowledge about them, highlighted the importance of reuse and circularity and created agendas for future development.
For example: Ministry of culture has used the project for Prison reconstruction created in KotorAPSS along with the case study and collected funding based on it.
Results in relation to category
One of the first wins that originated following the work of KotorAPSS has been newly reconstructed Austrian Prison turned into multicultural hub.
In 2012 KotorAPSS started working for the first time occupying the abandoned Austrian Hungarian Prison building in Old town Kotor. For the first time through KotorAPSS program the building has been cleaned, made safe for visitors and open for public and for the summer school that will stay there for the following seven years. Following this year KotorAPSS made a petition towards the Governemnt of Montenegro and the Ministry of Culture for the prison building to be brought back to public use and for cultural program. The Ministry of Culture accepted and based on project from KotorAPSS developed further a reconstruction project that will be funded through Interreg IPA CBC program. In 2021 newly renovated prison building was open to the public as Multicultural hub to be used by local and national artists and proffesiionals.
The reconstruction project of Dom revolucije in Nikšić in 2017 has been developed based on the APSS methodology, commissioned by the Government of Montenegro and developed by KotorAPSS former mentors HHF and Sadar&Vuga offices. The project has been recognized as an example of adaptive reuse by Docomomo International.
Originating from the academic framework of APSS, in 2014 a curatorial team of KotorAPSS curated the exhibition in the Montenegrin Pavillon at the 14th Architecture Biennale di Venezia with APSS as one of the main partners. The “Treasures in Disguise“ exhibition provided a spatial experience of the four buildings - derelict ruins of the recent past, presenting them de-contextualized from their various socio-historical connotations. The exhibition has been a starting point for substantial shift of attention towards these objects in Montenegro and eventual program for their re-use.
In 2012 KotorAPSS started working for the first time occupying the abandoned Austrian Hungarian Prison building in Old town Kotor. For the first time through KotorAPSS program the building has been cleaned, made safe for visitors and open for public and for the summer school that will stay there for the following seven years. Following this year KotorAPSS made a petition towards the Governemnt of Montenegro and the Ministry of Culture for the prison building to be brought back to public use and for cultural program. The Ministry of Culture accepted and based on project from KotorAPSS developed further a reconstruction project that will be funded through Interreg IPA CBC program. In 2021 newly renovated prison building was open to the public as Multicultural hub to be used by local and national artists and proffesiionals.
The reconstruction project of Dom revolucije in Nikšić in 2017 has been developed based on the APSS methodology, commissioned by the Government of Montenegro and developed by KotorAPSS former mentors HHF and Sadar&Vuga offices. The project has been recognized as an example of adaptive reuse by Docomomo International.
Originating from the academic framework of APSS, in 2014 a curatorial team of KotorAPSS curated the exhibition in the Montenegrin Pavillon at the 14th Architecture Biennale di Venezia with APSS as one of the main partners. The “Treasures in Disguise“ exhibition provided a spatial experience of the four buildings - derelict ruins of the recent past, presenting them de-contextualized from their various socio-historical connotations. The exhibition has been a starting point for substantial shift of attention towards these objects in Montenegro and eventual program for their re-use.
How Citizens benefit
Each of the KotorAPSS summer schools 2012-2018 started with public questionnaire of local citizens; respectable professionals such as historians, architects and artists; authorities involved such as City of Kotor, Ministries, etc.
During the entire program KotorAPSS had an open door policy inviting citizens to actively participate and shape the program and the project.
At the end of each sessions case studies, research and project has been presented in several public programs inviting locals to exchange and share. Each of these has also been presented through local and national media having much of attention and starting public debates.
Most importantly through the program of KotorAPSS these spaces that are meant to be public have finally been put in public use and available for the public.
Opening up the buildings for locals has been one of the most important points of exchange and inclusivity. The Prison building has never been open for the public before: KotorAPSS has created 12 different specific programs: exhibitions, theater play, symposiums, presentations, talks – all open for visitors along with guided tours and open doors during the summer school. Hotel Fjord’s empty pool has been used as a conference space during KotorAPSS and as a scenography for Kotor Art theater play.
Finally most important aspect was that the projects for reuse of these buildings have been shaped with citizens at the core of it. Prison building has been reimagined as a Multicultural hub – and became that funded by the Ministry of Culture years after the first KotorAPSS that has reactivated the building. The building now serves local community, mostly artists and young professionals.
During the entire program KotorAPSS had an open door policy inviting citizens to actively participate and shape the program and the project.
At the end of each sessions case studies, research and project has been presented in several public programs inviting locals to exchange and share. Each of these has also been presented through local and national media having much of attention and starting public debates.
Most importantly through the program of KotorAPSS these spaces that are meant to be public have finally been put in public use and available for the public.
Opening up the buildings for locals has been one of the most important points of exchange and inclusivity. The Prison building has never been open for the public before: KotorAPSS has created 12 different specific programs: exhibitions, theater play, symposiums, presentations, talks – all open for visitors along with guided tours and open doors during the summer school. Hotel Fjord’s empty pool has been used as a conference space during KotorAPSS and as a scenography for Kotor Art theater play.
Finally most important aspect was that the projects for reuse of these buildings have been shaped with citizens at the core of it. Prison building has been reimagined as a Multicultural hub – and became that funded by the Ministry of Culture years after the first KotorAPSS that has reactivated the building. The building now serves local community, mostly artists and young professionals.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
In KotorAPSS we wanted to address this issue of tourism from a different prospective. Montenegro is reductive. There’s no clear strategy of Montenegro coastal development, it’s chaotic. Profit-driven developmental logic and lack of proper legislation control led to obvious deficit of public space. I had this idea of somehow dealing with turbo-capitalism and uncritical exploitations of the space which led to decrease of the quality of the tourist product in general.
Instead of approaching official stakeholders directly asking to be involved and infiltrating into the system, we have decided to invent our own system, to find our own model of addressing these issues and based on very specific topics and scenarios.
Another idea was that through the workshop we introduce some new model of tourism – topic based, knowledge based, experience based tourism where we invite scholars, thinkers, professionals and students to be “tourists” in our summer school. This was the starting point and the way we have explained and approached stakeholders for the support.
The education especially in these small formats is unpredictable, the results are not something that can be planned well but very specific environment – like an old abandoned prison in the heart of the world heritage site could be an additional motivation. So at the same time KotorAPSS experimented with an educational model while addressing hot global topics of reuse and recycle as well as solving local issues of abandoned buildings and heritage.
Instead of approaching official stakeholders directly asking to be involved and infiltrating into the system, we have decided to invent our own system, to find our own model of addressing these issues and based on very specific topics and scenarios.
Another idea was that through the workshop we introduce some new model of tourism – topic based, knowledge based, experience based tourism where we invite scholars, thinkers, professionals and students to be “tourists” in our summer school. This was the starting point and the way we have explained and approached stakeholders for the support.
The education especially in these small formats is unpredictable, the results are not something that can be planned well but very specific environment – like an old abandoned prison in the heart of the world heritage site could be an additional motivation. So at the same time KotorAPSS experimented with an educational model while addressing hot global topics of reuse and recycle as well as solving local issues of abandoned buildings and heritage.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Through years as many as 67 different professionals and more than 150 students took part in the program of KotorAPSS. Each year KotorAPSS has invited architects, urban planners, theoreticians, historians, heritage protection scholars, designers, economists, philosophers and artists to take part in program and to educate students and young professionals. Besides these number as much as 2500 visitors took part in Symposiums, exhibitions and talks organized by KotorAPSS
Each program had mentors for the summer schools that were residents staying and working with students during the entire session. Besides this each year many lectures, talks and workshops were organized bringing together internationally recognized professionals with local and national professionals. This has resulted not only in better quality of education but in stronger exchange of knowledge on the subject and projects. These interactions are reflected in projects and exhibitions emerging from KotorAPSS such as Old Prison Building reuse study, Grand Hotel Fjord Study, Montenegrin Pavillon at the 14th Architecture Biennale di Venezia with APSS Institute being one of the main organizational partners, Project Solana - Montenegro National Pavilion at 15th Architecture Biennale di Venezia and the main Symposium for the same project in KotorAPSS 2016, etc.
At the center of KotorAPSS has always been architecture with its power to connect, initiate and moderate. But the program has always been very much interdisciplinary bringing together proffesionals from above mentioned disciplines: urban planners, theoreticians, historians, heritage protection scholars, designers, economists, philosophers, photographers, artists, etc.
Each program had mentors for the summer schools that were residents staying and working with students during the entire session. Besides this each year many lectures, talks and workshops were organized bringing together internationally recognized professionals with local and national professionals. This has resulted not only in better quality of education but in stronger exchange of knowledge on the subject and projects. These interactions are reflected in projects and exhibitions emerging from KotorAPSS such as Old Prison Building reuse study, Grand Hotel Fjord Study, Montenegrin Pavillon at the 14th Architecture Biennale di Venezia with APSS Institute being one of the main organizational partners, Project Solana - Montenegro National Pavilion at 15th Architecture Biennale di Venezia and the main Symposium for the same project in KotorAPSS 2016, etc.
At the center of KotorAPSS has always been architecture with its power to connect, initiate and moderate. But the program has always been very much interdisciplinary bringing together proffesionals from above mentioned disciplines: urban planners, theoreticians, historians, heritage protection scholars, designers, economists, philosophers, photographers, artists, etc.
Methodology used
In the 2011 and 2012 turbo-aprtmanisation in Montenegro was mostly over. New wave of investment was planned, and it included development of ambitious tourist resorts like Porto Montenegro, Eagle Hills in Budva and others. These large-scale developments had legible urban morphology, but they functioned as gated resorts were public domain was excluded. Foreign investors favored aesthetic which is an amalgam of styles imported from various Mediterranean sources and it had nothing in common with Montenegrin tradition. In KotorAPSS we were wondering what the next phase or trend in tourist development would be.
At the same time the infrastrudtcure remained from Yugoslavian times has been abandoned in many places along the Adriatic coast, it still is. It has not survived the transition. There are many hotels, complexes, industrial sites that remain abandoned.
Educational tasks are less complex than reality and lots of things are missing. It is a testing ground for new concepts and stimulating way for discussing architecture. It combines research, communicating with students and presentations.
This is where KotorAPSS found its methodology. Dealing with this real life issues of unstable urban and economic planning; of urban voids and abandoned heritage while at the same time educating new generations on important methods of reuse and circularity has been at the core of the program.
At the same time the infrastrudtcure remained from Yugoslavian times has been abandoned in many places along the Adriatic coast, it still is. It has not survived the transition. There are many hotels, complexes, industrial sites that remain abandoned.
Educational tasks are less complex than reality and lots of things are missing. It is a testing ground for new concepts and stimulating way for discussing architecture. It combines research, communicating with students and presentations.
This is where KotorAPSS found its methodology. Dealing with this real life issues of unstable urban and economic planning; of urban voids and abandoned heritage while at the same time educating new generations on important methods of reuse and circularity has been at the core of the program.
How stakeholders are engaged
At the very beginning of the project the Ministry of culture has supported and funded the project (2012-2017) Besides this the Ministry of culture has been actively involved in shaping the program of the project and identifying the key values and agendas to be incorporated in the program, such as: heritage protection, sustainable use of heritage, preservation, building of cultural program for the local community.
The City of Kotor has also been the key supporter of the program for many years. Key stakeholders from these institutions have been participating in symposiums, debates and round tables – being invited to contribute and shape new agendas addressed at KotorAPSS.
Kotor Art festival, recognized officially by the government as the Festival of National Importance – among five in the country has been a key partner and KotorAPSS has been an official part of the program (2012-2017).
Ministry of Tourism and Sustainable Development has also been funding KotorAPSS but more importantly this ministry has been a key partner in further developing agendas of reuse through several projects following summerschool: Hotel Fjord Study commissioned by the Ministry in 2014 and developed by the KotorAPSS participants; Treasures in Disguised exhibition – Montenegro Pavilion at Venice Architecture Bienale in 2014 – commissioned by the Ministry and developed by KotorAPSS team originating from the academic framework of APSS; REUSE and DEBATE Symposiums in KotorAPSS 2016 where The Ministry has been a key program partner.
UNDP – United Nations Development Program has been a partner in 2018 developing jointly the APSS Talk Symposium on the topic of Mobility challenges in Boka Bay area.
The City of Kotor has also been the key supporter of the program for many years. Key stakeholders from these institutions have been participating in symposiums, debates and round tables – being invited to contribute and shape new agendas addressed at KotorAPSS.
Kotor Art festival, recognized officially by the government as the Festival of National Importance – among five in the country has been a key partner and KotorAPSS has been an official part of the program (2012-2017).
Ministry of Tourism and Sustainable Development has also been funding KotorAPSS but more importantly this ministry has been a key partner in further developing agendas of reuse through several projects following summerschool: Hotel Fjord Study commissioned by the Ministry in 2014 and developed by the KotorAPSS participants; Treasures in Disguised exhibition – Montenegro Pavilion at Venice Architecture Bienale in 2014 – commissioned by the Ministry and developed by KotorAPSS team originating from the academic framework of APSS; REUSE and DEBATE Symposiums in KotorAPSS 2016 where The Ministry has been a key program partner.
UNDP – United Nations Development Program has been a partner in 2018 developing jointly the APSS Talk Symposium on the topic of Mobility challenges in Boka Bay area.
Global challenges
The topic of REUSE and RECYCLE have been among the most important and demanding topics in recent years when it comes to built environment, architecture and sustainability. Not to demolish but to reuse and reprogram has been one of the most important global challenges we have been addressing through the program.
Besides this sustainable use and protection of heritage has also been a topic KotorAPSS has been working on for many years developing research and case studies used in Montenegro and abroad.
The role of education and the importance of the involvement of education when it comes to these global challenges is crucial in KotorAPSS work. Creating a knowledge base and knowledge legacy to be used by future generations while solving these key issues is what we have insisted on in KotorAPSS
Besides this sustainable use and protection of heritage has also been a topic KotorAPSS has been working on for many years developing research and case studies used in Montenegro and abroad.
The role of education and the importance of the involvement of education when it comes to these global challenges is crucial in KotorAPSS work. Creating a knowledge base and knowledge legacy to be used by future generations while solving these key issues is what we have insisted on in KotorAPSS
Learning transferred to other parties
The reuse methodology developed in KotorAPSS as well as the studies and research conducted there on specific buildings continued to be used in different international projects based on topic in Montenegro.
Originating from the academic framework of APSS, in 2014 a curatorial team with Dijana Vucinic, Bostjan Vuga, Simon Hartmann, Ilka and Andreas Ruby curated the exhibition in the Montenegrin Pavillon at the 14th Architecture Biennale di Venezia. The “Treasures in Disguise“ exhibition provided a spatial experience of the four derelict ruins of the recent past, presenting them de-contextualized from their various socio-historical connotations. The exhibition has been a starting point for substantial shift of attention towards these objects in Montenegro and eventual program for their re-use.
APSS has been one of the main program partners and hosted the opening Symposium “Reporting from Montenegro” in Venice and the final Symposium “The Debate” in Kotor. “Project Solana” has been commissioned by Dijana Vucinic with architectural scholars Bart Lootsma and Katharina Weinberger as curators - hosting four projects by four authors outlining different sustainable futures for the Solana Ulcinj, an endangered ecosystem in formal industrial complex.
The reconstruction project of Dom revolucije in Nikšić in 2017 has been developed based on the APSS methodology, commissioned by the Government of Montenegro and developed by KotorAPSS former mentors HHF and Sadar&Vuga offices. The project has been recognized as an example of adaptive reuse by Docomomo International.
The core of KotorAPSS: the informal education as a tool for development remains also as one of transferable models: The experiential quality of the workshop was providing empiric arguments for the idea of re-use-ism. It became obvious that you can go against something that was meant to completely determine how people live and interact. If you use a prison for a school, then you can do pretty much everything.
Originating from the academic framework of APSS, in 2014 a curatorial team with Dijana Vucinic, Bostjan Vuga, Simon Hartmann, Ilka and Andreas Ruby curated the exhibition in the Montenegrin Pavillon at the 14th Architecture Biennale di Venezia. The “Treasures in Disguise“ exhibition provided a spatial experience of the four derelict ruins of the recent past, presenting them de-contextualized from their various socio-historical connotations. The exhibition has been a starting point for substantial shift of attention towards these objects in Montenegro and eventual program for their re-use.
APSS has been one of the main program partners and hosted the opening Symposium “Reporting from Montenegro” in Venice and the final Symposium “The Debate” in Kotor. “Project Solana” has been commissioned by Dijana Vucinic with architectural scholars Bart Lootsma and Katharina Weinberger as curators - hosting four projects by four authors outlining different sustainable futures for the Solana Ulcinj, an endangered ecosystem in formal industrial complex.
The reconstruction project of Dom revolucije in Nikšić in 2017 has been developed based on the APSS methodology, commissioned by the Government of Montenegro and developed by KotorAPSS former mentors HHF and Sadar&Vuga offices. The project has been recognized as an example of adaptive reuse by Docomomo International.
The core of KotorAPSS: the informal education as a tool for development remains also as one of transferable models: The experiential quality of the workshop was providing empiric arguments for the idea of re-use-ism. It became obvious that you can go against something that was meant to completely determine how people live and interact. If you use a prison for a school, then you can do pretty much everything.
Keywords
Reuse
Reprogram
Public space
Heritage
Architecture
