a-fact architecture factory, in collaboration with LAND, Maffeis Engineering, and Charcoalblue, has won the international competition to design The New Museum District and Park of Arts & Culture in Podgorica, Montenegro. The project is set to become a defining landmark for the capital, reshaping its skyline while introducing a dynamic cultural hub and public park that reimagines the future of urban park design.
A-Fact’s Vision for Podgorica
Nestled between Gorika Hill and Malo Brdo Hill, the district will serve as an active civic space, encouraging dialogue between art, nature, and the local population, blending Montenegro’s rich cultural heritage with modern architectural design.
The architects at a-fact envisioned a public place that blurs the line between inside and outside, connects visitors with the region’s rich heritage, and designs a lively cultural institution. The master plan of the project was divided into three main areas: the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Natural History Museum, and the House of Architecture, thoughtfully connected with an existing park.
The “Museum is the Park” Philosophy
Conceptualized on the notion of “The museum is the park, the park is the museum,” the design connects inside and outside spaces, ensuring that exhibitions and gatherings merge with the landscape, evolving as an architectural language, and philosophically, it focuses on the synergy between culture, urban life, and the environment. The New Museum District aims to provide dedicated spaces for exhibitions, art galleries, and historical collections connecting to the art park, fostering community engagement, interactive events, and vibrant urban space.
Architectural Design Inspired by a Landscape
The spatial language of the New Museum District was shaped by the bold idea of open space and open minds, transformed into sleek, minimalist lines and glass facades that connect inside and outside spaces, adding transparency and openness to the form.
Inspired by Montenegro’s landscape and terrain, the form of the structure emerges from the riverbank, envisioned as sculptural volumes echoing the surrounding monolithic rock formations. The use of local stone as the primary material for the building’s facade contextually responds to its cultural and geographic context.
Sustainable Innovation
The built form, beyond aesthetics, aims to follow sustainable principles to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling and install solar panels to contribute to a low-carbon footprint. The blue-green infrastructure plan for the park will improve biodiversity and manage water resources. The landscape plan was to conserve 290 existing trees and add 500 new ones to reinforce the city’s green corridor.
The integral part of the design is the green roofscape, which merges with the landscape to create new public terraces and walkways. This approach provides visitors with an experience of both beautiful artwork and vibrant city life while admiring the view of the Morača River.
Integrating the Museum with Podgorica’s Urban Fabric
With innovative design, a contemporary approach, and merging culture with surroundings, the New Museum District will redefine Podgorica. The spatial design prioritizes functionality with spaces that can accommodate a variety of cultural events, exhibitions, and performances, offering a welcoming environment for creativity. It will be a palace for permanent and temporary interactive exhibitions, an educational hub, and cultural events connected to a landscaped park to become a global cultural hub.
The New Museum District and Park of Arts & Culture Project Details
Architect: A-Fact Architecture Factory
Location: Podgorica, Montenegro
Landscape Design: LAND Italia
Structural and Facade Engineering: Maffeis Engineering
Visualizations: © EmmeWorks
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