The “Military-Technical Institute” (MTI) complex and the military industry of the area were developed in the city of Kragujevac in the mid XIX century. At the time, this was the first factory complex in southwest Europe, and it became the torchbearer for the technical, technological, social and demographic development in the region. Nowadays it has an international historical significance as a symbol of early industrialization and a new social order. The majority of this 55,6 hectare complex is currently empty and left to decay.

The urban renewal project aims to create a future cultural district through preservation, revitalization, improvement, adaptive reuse and presentation of the industrial heritage. In order to revive the MTI complex, the proposal aims to improve the urban and architectural identity of the space, provide a socially inclusive, economically justified and environmentally sustainable development, which would eventually improve the image of the city’s cultural landscape and its importance on the wider regional and international level.

URBAN CONCEPT

The proposal introduces four main principles of development:

1. Delicate treatment of the existing structures

The main premise of the development is the highest possible extent of maintenance of the existing structures, to preserve the original identity of the complex. In accordance with the ambient, spatial, cultural, and historical values, the aim is to improve the morphology of existing structures and environment in accordance with the principles of protection of architectural heritage through:
- optimum demolition, urban remodeling and recycling, and adaptive reuse of space
- preserving industrial manufacturing as a driving tool of urban development in the context of contemporary creative industries
- rounding off the contextual ambiance into a unique and recognizable spatial framework

2. New connections

The analysis of the existing morphology has led to the conclusion that there is a need for the organic connection between the complex and the city as well as among each individual (sub) entity. To achieve that, the project proposes a variety of new networks, both spatial and programmatic.

The basic principle of the new networks is the articulation of space and program into logical sequences (single objects as well as public spaces) through organizing various activities in a designed schedule and encouraging social integration.

Some of the new networks include the preservation of human scale through a 50 m grid, the 250 m distance grid, exclusion of the car traffic from the site, the introduction of the network activities, ensuring the time continuity of the activities through a 24/7 network of functions and the creation of the social networks through experimental houses.

Experimental Houses represent a newly introduced typology of evenly distributed structures throughout the site. They represent the site-specific hub spaces, and their purpose is to generate the development of each zone through time. Experimental Houses are an experiment on the programmatic level, introducing completely new functions to the zones, but also an experiment on the level of materialization - they should be built with new materials and/or building techniques. They should be organized as spaces with the highest level of public participation, to ensure the democratic development of each zone.

3. New Nature

The New Nature principle implies responsible consumption and directs the spatial interventions toward sustainable development goals (SDG). Existing vegetation is kept and treated as a part of the urban structure, thus contributing to the environmental comfort of the area, its visual identity, and socio-economic vitality.

4. Phases of Adaptation

The step-by-step development of the entire complex ensures contextual development through time,  significantly improves the future project logistics and contributes to the economic justification of the proposal.

Phased development is directly connected to the creation of spatial zones of the entire complex. Depending on the required scope of each Zone, with the main accent given to the Prototype zone and its results in socio-economic profitability and sustainability during the reference period, the order of each future phase will be consequently established.

ZONING

The MTI complex is divided in 11 spatial-programmatic zones. Each one of these is specific in terms of the functional wholeness and authenticity of their respective ambiances, which makes them suitable for the process of phased development. This type of approach allows for gradual planning, testing and evaluation in a phase-by-phase manner.

The sequence in which the zones would be developed is based on the following criteria: the ownership structure of the buildings and land, investment cost estimates, the general and special measures of protection relating to the buildings and spaces, as well as the socio-economic outcome achieved through the Prototype zone.

THE PROTOTYPE ZONE

The key role in systematizing the adaptation phases plays the Prototype zone, which encapsulates the design principles, (re)evaluates them on a smaller scale area before implementing successful ideas in a wider spatial context. It consists of the Culture Factory, Arsenal Square, Museum of Old Gun Foundry and Ateliers, Media Tower, Prototype Housing Building and Experimental House.

CULTURE FACTORY

Culture Factory (former machine workshop building) together with Arsenal square represents the basis around which the Prototype Zone is developed, and its development is the very first step of the reconstruction and reactivation of the whole site. In synergy with its immediate surroundings, the Culture Factory is envisioned as the driving force of the urban-architectural regeneration of MTI complex and represents the finest symbol of the industrial landscape.

ARSENAL SQUARE

On a micro level, the proposal emphasizes the connection between the objects of the Culture factory, Arsenal Square, and the Museum “Old Gun Foundery”. Polygon for manifestations and socialization is created by sinking the plateau defined in accordance with the volume of the Culture factory building, as well as by extending the building itself onto the newly designed Arsenal Square. In their shape and materialization, the created amphitheater and facades expand on the authentic architectural language of the Culture factory and Museum “Old Gun Foundery”.