The Centre for Architecture Belgrade is proud to have a series of studies on housing research in our archive, prepared by the former Centre for Housing of the IMS Institute.
Today’s researchers may find at first that these studies, prepared and published around 30 years ago, seem a bit obsolete or too formal and mathematically precise. One should, however, have in mind that the final result of several years of work on these studies was the publication Conditions and technical normatives for design of residential buildings and apartments (so-called red book), a set of rules and regulations that defined the minimum a space must comply to, later implemented in the realization of residential buildings and estates by all means significantly better than the contemporary production.
Today, as the construction of social housing is once again in focus, with savings in all steps of the process of design and construction, we turn to these researches, and the standards imposed by their authors may help the designers now.

Attached is the list of available studies, apartment plan catalogues and proceedings, mainly prepared by the Centre for housing (in Serbian):

Bešlić, Vukica, Čanak, Mihailo: Standardizacija dimenzija sanitarne i kuhinjske opreme u stanu, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1974.
Čanak, Mihailo, Luković, Zorana: Uporedna analiza funkcionalnih mogućnosti skeletnih sistema i sistema sa poprečnim nosećim zidovima, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1978.
Čanak, Mihailo, Utvrđivanje upotrebne vrednosti konstruktivnih sistema, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1983.
Čanak, Mihailo: Ekonomske posledice projektantskih odluka, I deo, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1983.
Čanak, Mihailo: Funkcionalna koncepcija stanova u IMS sistemu, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1974.
Čanak, Mihailo: Funkcionalni aspekti konstrukcije stambenih zgrada, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1979.
Čanak, Mihailo: Funkcionalni aspekti opreme stana, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1973.
Čanak, Mihailo: Funkcionalni aspekti organizacije stana, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1973.
Čanak, Mihailo: Funkcionalni aspekti stambenih zgrada i stanova: Model vrednovanja projektantskih mogućnosti konstruktivnih sistema CS’84.K, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1984.
Čanak, Mihailo: Industrijsko oblikovanje i proizvodnja komponenata skeletnog sistema: Funkcionalna koncepcija stanova u IMS sistemu, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1975.
Čanak, Mihailo: Uticaj organizacije stana na upotrebnu vrednost stambenog prostora, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1974.
Čanak, Mihailo: Vrednovanje kvaliteta u stambenoj izgradnji i stanovanju, doktorska disertacija, Arhitektonski fakultet Univerziteta u Beogradu, 1983.
Fototeka stanova, Beogradska naselja Kijevo – Kneževac, Sveska I, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1983.
Fototeka stanova, Centralna zona Novog Beograda I, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1978.
Fototeka stanova, Centralna zona Novog Beograda II, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1979.
Fototeka stanova, Fleksibilni stan II, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1981.
Fototeka stanova, Novi Beograd, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1980.
Gavrilović, Branka, Janković, Ivan, Petrovar, Ksenija, Čanak, Mihailo: Model vrednovanja stanova i stambenih zgrada CS’80, II deo: Kvalitet stambene zgrade, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1980.
Gavrilović, Branka: Funkcionalni aspekti veličine stana, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1973.
Izgradnja, posebno izdanje, Stan i stanovanje
Izgradnja, vanredni broj, Inpros, 1973.
Janković, Božidar: Priručnik za projektovanje višespratnih kolektivnih stambenih zgrada u montažnom sistemu IMS sa pregledom tipologije rešenja, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1992.
Janković, Ivan: Metodologija izrade prostornih standarda stana i zgrade, I deo, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1981.
Karadžić, Branislav: Objekti društvenog standarda u montažnom skeletnom sistemu IIM, Institut za ispitivanje materijala SRS, 1966.
Kara-Pešić, Živojin, Janković, Ivan, Gavrilović, Branka: Koncept novog naselja, tom 2, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1979.
Kara-Pešić, Živojin: Fleksibilnost i stanovanje, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1977.
Kovačević, Slobodan: Bibliografsko istraživanje literature o modelima sa osvrtom na modele aplikativne u industrijalizovanom načinu gradnje, seminarski rad, postdiplomske studije iz urbanizma, Arhitektonski fakultet Univerziteta u Beogradu, 1973.
Kovačević, Slobodan: Korišćenje stambenih struktura u objektima koje su realizovali članovi poslovnog udruženja Inpros iz Beograda, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1973.
Ksenija Petovar: Model programiranja stambenih struktura, I i II deo, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1980/1981.
Naučno-stručni skup: Kvalitet stanovanja i ljudske potrebe, Centar za stanovanje IMS, Zavod za zgradarstvo IGH, Gradbeni centar Slovenije, 1979.
Naučno-stručni skup: Položaj učesnika u stambenoj izgradnji, Centar za stanovanje IMS, Zavod za zgradarstvo IGH, Gradbeni centar Slovenije, 1983.
Priručnik za primenu građevinskih sistema, materijala i elemenata u stambenom fondu JNA, Sveska 1, Institut za ispitivanje materijala SRS, 1988.
Priručnik za primenu građevinskih sistema, materijala i elemenata u stambenom fondu JNA, Sveska 2, Institut za ispitivanje materijala SRS, 1988.
Privremeni standard stana usmerene stambene izgradnje, Gradbeni centar Slovenije, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1974.
Savetovanje: Utvrđivanje upotrebne vrednosti stanova, Gradbeni centar Slovenije, 1971.
Standardi za projektovanje stanova i stambenih zgrada, Centar za stanovanje IMS, 1980.

Bulletins of the former Centre for housing, published in 1970s and the beginning of 1980s, at the time when the Centre for housing, as part of the IMS Institute, was active, are a valuable testimony not only of their work, but of the general state and way of work and thinking in architecture and urban planning of that period. Bulletins featured reviews of designs, competition entries and realizations, but also researches and theory.

The editor was arch. Božidar Janković, the author of numerous outstanding buildings, like the blocks 22 and 23 at New Belgrade. Authors include dr M. Čanak, B. Janković, B. Karadžić, prof. A. Stjepanović, Ž. Kara-Pešić, dr I. Janković, prof. dr K. Petovar, D. Simić, P. Napijalo, N. Novakov, S. Kovačević, prof. M. Timotijević…

All volumes have a summary with abstracts in English.

Informacije, Bilten Centra za stanovanje Instituta IMS

(Informations, Bulletin of the Centre for Housing of the IMS Institute)

The library of the Centre for Architecture Belgrade has the following volumes of this magazine, in original or digital form (that can be downloaded at this page):

Bilten CS 15

Bilten CS 16

Bilten CS 17

Bilten CS 18 (only in digital form)

Bilten CS 19

Bilten CS 20

Bilten CS 21

Bilten CS 22

Bilten CS 23

Bilten CS 24 (only in digital form)

Bilten CS 26

Bilten CS 27

Bilten CS 28

Bilten CS 29-30

We wish to thank our colleague Đorđe Alfirević, as well as our friends from the organization Group of architects, who have let us use their scanned material. More info on the work of the former Centre for Housing, as well as on the activities of the informal association of the same name, founded in 2012, can be found at www.centarzastanovanje.com.

The Centre for Architecture Belgrade also has the magazines that were published at the same time by the Centre for prestressed concrete of the IMS Institute. Besides the more technical articles, these bulletins also featured interesting texts on architecture. The editor was dr Ivan Petrović, the pioneer of research in the field of (architectural) design methodology. Along with the names of authors who contributed in the Bulletins of the Centre for Housing, this magazine featured, besides I. Petrović, articles by others, like dr I. Svetel or prof. Z. Lazović.

This magazine was published as:

Bilten IMS

(IMS Bulletin)

Year I, No. 1, January 1974 to Year XI, No. 5-6, November 1984.

Bilten Instituta IMS

(IMS Institute Bulletin)

No. 1, January 1986 to No. 1-2, December 1993.

All listed volumes are available in original (paper) form. If you have some volumes yourself (especially the ones that we do not have), scanned or on paper, contact us!

In the first part of the text we introduced you to two of  Bjarke Ingels projects, done with studio PLOT, both located in the central zone of the new south suburb of Copenhagen. In this second part of the text we present a mixed use development –  the 8 House, the newest built work of studio BIG in this series. The 8 House is situated at the very edge of South Ørestada, behind which there is a vast flat grass landscape of Denmark and the sea.

Firstly, this project impresses with its size and the complexity of its form. In plan, the building is shaped like the number 8 with two large, publicly accessible, inner courtyards. These courtyards differ in their landscaping, with specific attractive features, and in their atmosphere and light quality, which is due to the geometry of the building itself.

What sets this complex apart from similar atrium forms are the changes in height and number of levels of the building. Additional to providing better sunlight and views, these height changes also allow the creation of public and semi-public pedestrian pathways on the edges of the 8-House. These pathways allow you to explore the complex form of the building not just visually but also physically – by walking through it. Paths start from the ground level, i.e. the courtyard level, and lead to the top, i.e. the roof of the building, along its outer edge from where the surrounding can be seen, or along the inner edge from where the geometry of the building and the courtyards create interesting views.

A walk through the building reveals its complex physical structure and form, as well as the structure and profile of its inhabitants. The inner street, lined with small terraces, allows unobstructed views into apartment interiors, thanks to the lack of curtains or shades on Danish windows. Baby carriages, toys and other equipment can be seen on most terraces and around the building, leading to the conclusion that the majority of this development’s inhabitants are young couples with kids.

The network of pedestrian paths, stairs and passages allows the dwellers to have a different perspective on their living unit. In a conventional building they live in an apartment on the n-th floor with no direct contact with the ground or the community around them, while in the 8-House they can step out to a public surface almost directly from their living room. The architect’s intention was to create a sense of community and belonging characteristic for small towns with family houses, while still maintaining a high density and urban living conditions. Thanks to this the whole complex seams self-reliant: it allows for apartment diversity, and also includes offices, a cafe, restaurant, grocery store, child care and all other auxiliary  programs inherent to a housing complex.

Besides all obvious advantages and the architects’ good intentions, this innovative form also has a few flaws. The complex geometry caused a complex bearing structure, and the height changes that allow pedestrians to climb up to the roof, create complicated solutions in the interior space and prevent the establishment of a clear simple floor level.

A very specific problem, unpredictable during the design phase, is created by the multitude of visitors who come to tour this extraordinary example of housing architecture. Moving freely on public paths, the building’s inner streets, they often invade the residents’ privacy by entering their private, although only partially fenced, terraces. This made it necessary to post warning notices about the rules of conduct of visitors on the most frequented parts of the building, as well as on its website. Additionally, some of the residents protected their property physicaly, blocking the entrance to the terraces, which actually denies one the main motives of the 8-House living concept.

Text and photos: Milena Zindović

If you are planning  a visit to Copenhagen and exploring it’s many tourist features, all official guides will first direct you to tourist spots such as the main pedestrian street Strøget, the Royal Palace, the old theme park Tivoli or the Little Mermaid statue. However, what makes Copenhagen different then other European capitals is that it’s also famous for contemporary architecture.

In its tourist offer, this city emphasizes some of the extraordinary examples of today’s architecture, by both Danish and foreign architects. It’s also unique in the fact that these high achievements of Danish architecture are not limited to public programs such as operas, libraries or museums,  but are also visible in innovative housing complexes, which represents some of the most interesting examples of global contemporary housing architecture. And the most commonly met name among Danish architecture offices distinguished by their housing projects, is certainly that of Bjarke Ingels.

CAB has visited and photographed three famous and impressive housing complexes in Ørestadu, a southern suburb of Copenhagen that is the home of some of these inventive and contemporary public and housing architecture. BIG’s contribution to this new town is visible in three housing structures:  VM Houses, Mountain and 8 House. The first part of this report will present you with the first two projects, since they are both physically close, and thus in the same suburban context, and are also the early work of this, today globally known, architect.

VM Houses are one of the first built projects by Bjarke Ingels (2004-2005), done as part of the architecture studio PLOT in which Ingels partnered with Julien De Smedt. This housing complex consists of two separate buildings, whose plans are reminiscent of the shapes of letters V and M, hence the name of the project.  This, thanks to its architecture, easily recognized building complex is located on the main axes of development of  Ørestad – right next to the main elevated metro line. The buildings are free-standing, positioned perpendicular to the street, which emphasizes the in-between spaces created between them. They are not oriented towards the street, therefore there is no defined street front, but towards well designed and groomed inner parks.

A clear definition of the complex’s block doesn’t exist, instead the two buildings become part of a series of free-standing contemporary public and housing project lining the street. Completely accessible green areas next to the buildings, a public ground-floor that doesn’t block pedestrian flow and large glass facade surfaces that allow a glimpse into modern interiors, all create an impression of openness and democracy. The architecture of this houses represents the Danish society and its values.

Right adjunct to the VM Houses is another housing complex called the Mountain. This 2008. project is maybe the most famous work of Bjarke Ingels and the PLOT architecture studio. It’s characterized by a completely different approach to the concept of living. Althought this builing is also right next to the main street and metro line, it’s street facade is dominated by the garage. First few levels of the street facade are actually the building’s parking facility, and it’s only publicly accessible part. The entrance and access to innovative elevators that move both vertically and horizontally are strictly controlled, and create an impression of an exclusive building.

The occupant’s privacy is completely secured from all sides: the wooden decks orriented towards the park and the canal are rising from the ground to the top of the Mountain without the possibility of curious looks into the inner world of this impressive structure. Thanks to this architectural solution each apartment has its own piece of greenery, nature and open sky, while entirely maintaining its privacy.

VM Houses and the Mountain are builidngs in a series of interesting and innovative responses of Danish architects to the challenges of a new city development. Located along the main traffic axes that connects Ørestad to downtown Copenhagen, these builings, together with Ørestad High School and Library, a big commercial mall and other public buildings, create the center of the new city.

To be continued…

Text: Milena Zindović

Ljubljana-based architectural studio OFIS architects has recently successfully completed a student housing complex in Paris. This was a rare opportunity for architects from this region to work in one of the most important world centers. OFIS architects won first prize at the invited competition for this location in 2008, and building started in 2009.

The building is located on a long and very narrow site, on the edge of Parc La Vilette in Paris’s 19th district, within an urban development done by Reichen & Robert architects. On the northeast, new Paris tram route is passing along the site. The site is bordering with tram garage on the southwest, above which is a football field. The first 3 floors of the housing will inevitably share the wall with the tram garage.

The parcel has a very particular configuration; 11m in width and extending approximately 200m north-south. This foreshadows the importance of processing the eastern facade overlooking the extension of the street Des Petits Ponts which hosts the tram and both cyclist and pedestrian walkways.

The long volume of the building is divided into two parts connected with a narrow bridge. Between two volumes there is a garden. The building has 11 floors: a technical space in the basement, shared programs in the ground floor, and student apartments in the upper nine floors. The layout is very rational and modular.

The major objective of the project was to provide students with a healthy environment for studying, learning and meeting. The ground floor houses common spaces, dining area and  living space. Along the length of the football field is an open corridor and gallery that overlooks the field and creates a view to the city and the Eiffel tower. This gallery is an access to the apartments providing students with a common place. The dormitory has 192 studios, all of the same size and containing the same elements to optimize design and construction: an entrance, bathroom, wardrobe, kitchenette, working space and a bed. Each apartment has a balcony overlooking the street.

Narrow length of the plot with 10 floors gives to site a significant presence. Each volume contains two different faces according to the function and program:

The elevation towards the street des Petits Ponts contains studio balconies-baskets of different sizes made from HPL timber stripes. They are randomly oriented to diversify the views and rhythm of the façade. Shifted baskets create a dynamic surface while also breaking down the scale and proportion of the building.

The elevation towards the football field has an open passage walkway with studio entrances enclosed with a 3D metal mesh. Both volumes are connected on the first floor with a narrow bridge which is also an open common space for students.

The building is energy efficient to accommodate the desires of Paris’ sustainable development efforts. The Plan Climates goal is that future housing will consume 50KW-h.m.² or less. The objectives of energy performance and the construction timetable were met by focusing on a simple, well insulated and ventilated object that functions at its best year round. Accommodations are cross ventilating and allow abundant day lighting throughout the apartment. External corridors and glass staircases also promote natural lighting in the common circulation, affording energy while also creating comfortable and well lit social spaces.

The building is insulated from the outside with an insulation thickness of 20 cm. Thermal bridge breakers are used on corridor floors and balconies to avoid thermal bridges. Ventilation is controlled by double flow mechanical ventilation, providing clean air in every apartment with an optimum temperature throughout the year. The roof is covered with 300m² of photovoltaic panels to generate electricity. Rainwater is harvested on site in a basin pool used for watering outdoor green spaces.

Photo: © Tomaz Gregoric

Na slici je ilustracija koja prati interesantan prilog iz britanskog propagandnog magazina sa kraja II svetskog rata. [1]

Ceo članak u ovoj publikaciji, inače posvećenoj ratnim temama, bavi se obnovom gradova u periodu koji treba da nastupi nakon konačne pobede nad silama Osovine. U članku se opisuje nestašica novca i građevinskog materijala, kao i potreba za hitnim rešavanjem stambenog problema nezamislivih razmera.

Kao rešenje problema preporučuje se masovna planska stambena izgradnja, uz što veći stepen industrijalizacije građenja, ali uz tipično britansko skretanje pažnje na neophodnost postizanja neophodnog kvaliteta ne samo stanova, nego i javnog prostora.

Danas, kada se istovremeno suočavamo sa nedostatkom stambenog prostora, visokim cenama novih stanova na tržištu, ekonomskom krizom, ali i usitnjenošću građevinske industrije, posebno operative, kao i hroničnim nedostatkom kvalifikovane radne snage, ponovo se pokreće pitanje masovne stambene izgradnje.

Novi objekti i naselja, namenjeni za socijalne stanove, čija je izgradnja više puta najavljivana, a izvesno je i da će se, u većem ili manjem obimu, svakako i desiti, ne bi smeli da ponove greške iz posleratnog perioda i dovedu do stvaranja neadekvatnih, razgrađenih gradskih prostora. Neophodno je insistirati na kvalitetu javnog prostora, koji se ogleda u raznovrsnosti, mešanju namena, dobrom i jasno definisanom kontaktu privatnog i javnog, umesnoj i održivoj primeni materijala i oblikovnih rešenja. Samo na taj način novi delovi grada postaće nešto više od neugodnih spavaonica.

[1] „Priprema za obnovu i izgradnju domova“, Glas pobede, specijalni broj, n. dat., p. 35.

Danas, kada se stambena izgradnja zasniva u najvećem delu na tržišnim zakonitostima, praktično ne postoji nikakav važeći i obavezujući pravilnik ili drugi sličan dokument, kojim bi se jasno definisali minimumi ili optimumi prostornih uslova za normalan život ljudi. Kvalitet primenjenih rešenja ima trend stalnog opadanja, tako da smo suočeni sa apsurdnom činjenicom da je nivo koji su imali stanovi izgrađeni pre tridesetak godina za današnje pojmove nedostižan. Razlozi za takva kretanja nisu samo ekonomske prirode, već su i posledica diskontinuiteta projektantske aktivnosti, koja dostignuti nivo nije uspela da održi tokom krize devedesetih godina, budući da opšteprihvaćeni postulati uređenja prostora nisu bili pretočeni u obavezujuće norme.

Studija o životnom standardu 2002/2007. [1] pokazuje da je struktura i opremljenost stanova siromašnih domaćinstava značajno lošija u odnosu na domaćinstva iznad granice siromaštva (koja većinom stanuju u objektima izgrađenim osamdesetih i sedamdesetih godina dvadesetog veka – periodu koji navodimo kao vreme uređene stambene izgradnje). Studija pokazuje trend porasta udela novoizgrađenih stanova u ukupnom broju, te je stoga važno što pre urediti ovu oblast, kako se ne bi uvećavao fond neuslovnih objekata.

[1] Studija o životnom standardu, Srbija 2002 – 2007. Beograd: Republički zavod za statistiku Srbije, 2008.