Overview

The mountains of Montenegro are a world-famous feature of the country’s nature and landscape. For centuries, the diverse and dramatic ridges inspired generations of artists, including myself. Mountain Ridge, an elevated park at the core of this proposal, is defined by the stark silhouettes of white retaining walls, sloped walkways, and diverse fauna, paying homage to the surrounding mountains and teasing the things to come for visitors of the country.

Key Features

Mountains - a series of mini-parks, each with a unique biome. Mountains serve a practical function of concealing utility infrastructure such as bathrooms and underground parking lot access points. In addition, mountains reuse soil displaced during the parking lot construction, lowering the ecological impact.

Drac Multi-functional Complex - a new home for local residents and businesses. Bearing the name of the old settlement, it defines the North edge of the square, provides a clear separation between public and private spaces, and ensures that all relocated residents and businesses get an empowering modern space to live and prosper.

Golootočkih Žrtava Square - connecting the Bus Station and the new Business Core of Drač Multi-functional Complex, it is a new expansive public destination in Podgorica. It serves as a way-finding point for visitors and travelers and opens up a view on the architectural landmark of the Bus Station, complemented by a Reflective Pool.

Moments

• Bus Station - the architectural landmark is preserved and restored to its original state. It now hosts a PV array on the roof to harvest solar energy.

• Train Station - repainted and improved with a new spire and an informational LED display. The relocated roundabout allows easy pedestrian access to and from the station and greets the visitors of the city with an inviting park.

• Reflective Pool - provides freshness during the hot summer days. Its tranquil surface hides the dancing fountains within, active every hour.

• Start-Up Market - a new home for small businesses and business startups. The market is located close to Jusovaca Dungeon, complementing its future program of Start-Up campus.

• Speak-Up Corner - Whether it’s an advertising campaign for a new business or raising awareness for important issues, anyone has a chance to take a small stage at the intersection and be heard.

• Underground Parking Lot - a utility space to organize parking and traffic to and from the area. It fits 245 cars of employees, residents, and visitors. Taxis are now parked underground and wait for their pickup call to go on the surface. The entrance to the parking lot is conveniently located off Bulevar Mitra Bakića, and pedestrian access points emerge at the new Business Core of Drač Multi-functional Complex or at the Bus Station.

Features

• Sails - colorful waterproof fabric stretched across exposed areas of the observation decks. It filters sunlight through, simultaneously shielding from the sun and celebrating it. Like a dress, the fabric can be replaced with a different color, pattern, or style for different occasions.

• Flora - All parks are organized with the same key components: trees, shrubs, accent flowers, rocks, and grass. All elements vary from Mountain to Mountain, creating unique biomes and showcasing the natural diversity of Montenegro.

• Furniture - Golootočkih Žrtava Square is framed with community stairs that can be easily converted into seating arrangements for concerts and festivals. The park furniture consists of minimalistic wooden benches. Trash cans are designed to blend with the environment and collect trash and recycle separately.