TRADE FAIR AND CONGRESS CENTER 

Conceptual Explanation of the Design​

Podgorica is a city of plains, surrounded by majestic mountains and brought to life by the river flowing through it. The project draws inspiration from the city’s topographic character. The building embraces the landscape to the north, creating an oasis at its centre. Spaces are organized around this oasis. The structure rises as it orients toward the city, culminating at one end with a balcony and at the other with a tower.

The form of the project is shaped by evaluating the potentials of urban thresholds in four directions.

The site is surrounded on three sides (west, east, and south) by "agro-industrial" structures, while the north side features a dense tree mass within the plot and across much of the adjacent property. This landscape presence significantly influences the positioning of the new building. The structure is situated toward the south, leaving the northern side open to the landscape. The resulting public square and greenery open toward the July 13th Sports and Recreation Area.

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Another significant urban threshold shaping the character of the layout is the western edge, where heavy and fast traffic dominates. This is the urban front where the new building’s image is constructed. The building follows a rising line along the road toward the city. At the end of this line, a dramatic cantilever creates a dynamic architectural gesture. The cantilever carries a balcony facing the capital from the congress hall. This perspective becomes the backdrop of the hall.

Vehicular access and parking are planned from the east. A canopy defines the entry and exit zone, ending with a tower. This tower, topped by a lightbox, serves as a landmark visible from the immediate surroundings. It is a modern reinterpretation of a traditional architectural element commonly found in Montenegro’s historic towns—monasteries, cathedrals, and fortress towers.

The western cantilever and eastern tower are connected by a curve along the northern edge. This curve defines the outdoor activity space of the centre. Opening to the northern landscape, this area uses the building as its backdrop.

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The southern façade is reserved for service functions. As the back of the building, this façade is mostly solid, following passive climate control principles, except for necessary service doors.

In summary, the building is formed through a dialogue with the urban thresholds in four directions. It transforms this dialogue into a bold architectural language with dynamic lines and surfaces. Aiming to become one of the new socio-economic hubs of Montenegro, the structure brings together "modern architecture and a natural oasis."

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Description and Explanation of Selected Materials​

Fair and congress programs typically require introverted building typologies with largely opaque façades. In public buildings, however, the scale of these large blank walls must be softened perceptually. This project investigates the façade design in terms of scale and urban context. It draws inspiration from the silhouette of the mountains framing the city’s horizons. These silhouettes are abstracted and transformed into a repetitive pattern.

By angling slender, glossy rhombus-shaped modules, a third dimension is added to the pattern. This creates ever-changing reflections and shadows throughout the day. The sculptural shell with curved lines aestheticizes the large-scale building typology, and the variable façade texture enhances the perception of this aesthetic.

Along the north façade—where the building directly interacts with the outdoors—the foyer, office, and commercial functions remain transparent up to level +8.00. The canopy and cantilever masses above provide shade and protection.

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For the largely solid external walls of the fair section, prefabricated aerated concrete wall panels are chosen for their thermal insulation, ease of application, and finished surface quality. Hardened concrete screed is used for the flooring. On the ceiling, skylights provided by the grid system formed by the structural elements allow for controlled natural light intake into the exhibition hall. Roof lights oriented to the north are integrated with artificial lighting and mechanical systems, allowing flexibility in technical interventions The interior materials are chosen to create a neutral atmosphere. The main wall that separates the foyer from the exhibition area, which accommodates the fair services, is clad in wood like the foyer to give visitors a sense of continuity and add warmth. The other surfaces are kept neutral to provide a calm background for any arrangement.

For the meeting halls on level +1 and the congress hall on level +2, wood is used to create a warm interior ambiance. Durable industrial wood parquet is used on the floor, while acoustic wood panels are applied to the walls. Additionally, acoustic gypsum board panels suitable for the space’s requirements are installed on the ceilings to meet acoustic performance needs.

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Application of Energy Efficiency Principles and Environmentally Friendly Solutions​

The first step in passive climate design is the positioning of the building. Considering various parameters—including the existing landscape, garage access, and pedestrian/vehicular circulation—the building is aligned along a north-south axis. Opaque façades with service entrances are directed toward the south and west. Entry, foyer, office, and commercial areas face north. By preserving the existing landscape, both the building and the public square are protected from cold northern winter winds. 40% of the plot is designed as green space, thereby reducing the urban heat island effect. A reflecting pool positioned adjacent to the tower provides cooling to the entrance area during warmer seasons.

The second step involves the correct sectioning of building elements. Accordingly, floor, wall, and roof assemblies are designed with the necessary insulation layers. The metal façade system is detailed as a ventilated secondary skin.

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The fair and congress halls, which have opaque walls, receive controlled natural light through roof sections. Roof lights facing north admit diffuse daylight. These are integrated with automated systems to allow natural ventilation.

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Entrance, foyer, office, and commercial spaces that open directly to the exterior have operable windows to ensure natural ventilation. They are oriented to receive abundant northern light.

To harness solar energy, photovoltaic panels are installed on the south-facing surfaces of the roof lights (2,200 m²). Rainwater from the roof is collected for reuse within the building and for landscape irrigation. Grading and section details of the landscape are designed to maximize the use of rainwater.