The Epicenter of Culture

This master’s thesis reimagines the bombed site of the National Library of Serbia, a location rich in historical significance, from ancient Roman baths to the remnants of the library itself. The project’s goal is to blend the site’s historical ambiance with a modern architectural and urban intervention that honors both past and present.

Instead of reconstructing the library or preserving its remains as ruins, the design repurposes original bricks from the destroyed building as central elements for a new complex. These bricks embody the core concept, forming a dynamic sequence that begins with a staircase descending to the ancient Roman layer, creating an underground level. The sequence then ascends as a memorial wall alongside neighboring structures, establishing a powerful connection to history.

The new design transforms the site into a public square, with a multi-story cultural space above and an underground level that extends to the ancient ruins below. This dual-level approach preserves historical traces while fostering a vibrant cultural hub. The reimagined complex honors the memory of the destroyed library, transforming a place of suffering into a place of creation – a new hotspot and the epicenter of the city’s cultural life.