Architecture of the 20th century as a Cultural Heritage : Architectural Communication – Memorial Hall in Kolasin, Montenegro

Abstract

The overall history of culture is an evolution of the communication media [1] and, as a cultural phenomenon, architecture is a communication phenomenon itself [2]. The most significant progress in understanding architecture as a means of communication was made in the 20 th century, first, with the onset of semiotics (F. de Saussure, Ch. S. Peirce) and structuralistic theories, theory of information and later by post-structuralism and post-modernism [3]. The first analogies between semiotics and architecture as well as the application of linguistic models appeared (Gamberini 1953, Koenig 1964 in the '50s and '60s of the 20 th century. This enabled seeing the phenomenon of architecture as a readable text of culture. The elements of semiotic theories have found their application in architecture too. Saussure's semiotic dichotomy "signifier/signified" applied to architecture shows that edifice is at the same time the signified, as a result of concepts or ideas, and the signifier of a sign, namely, the form is a communication medium between the concept and the sign [4] (Fig. 1). [6,.Architectural communication is defined through three types of relations which a building establishes with its environment: building -context (social and physical), building -users (utilization of architecture) and building -author/architect (architecture as knowledge transmission) [7]. Denotative and connotative meanings, taken from the semiotics (Eco), constitute an integral part of relations defined in such a manner, but they are not the basic approach in understanding the phenomenon of architectural communication [7] (Fig. 2).Memorial Hall in Kolasin, cultural heritage of the second half of 20 th century, has been chosen as the case study suitable for architectural communication analysis, based on the previously defined model. The building, with the gross floor area of 2,500 м2, located on the main town square was built from 1971 to 1975 according to the winning design of a Slovenian architect Marko Music, who won the first prize at the Yugoslav architectureurbanism competition in 1970 (Fig. 3). The building was awarded

Towards a Taxonomy of The 21st century Architectural Practices in the age of Sustainability and Technology

“…Hence, the paradigm of the contemporary practices of architecture announces a shift from its preceding, and give attention to the matter of human centered design, environmental impact and efficient use of resources as main design conceptions. This is accomplished by new terminologies in architecture like: green, environmental, ecological, smart-resilient and regenerative buildings "Table1", which are all considered sustainably oriented practices that seek to eliminate any damage that affect the future of the coming generations, despite their different design trajectories leading to diverse types of practices as discussed briefly below [9][10][11][12]:…”