Art and culture park

We are proud to have collaborated with a-fact, LAND, Maffeis Engineering SpA, and Charcoalblue on the proposal for the "Museum of Contemporary Art, Natural History Museum, and Park of Arts & Culture" in Podgorica, Montenegro. This project was awarded the 1st prize among 48 entries from globally renowned practices, including Sou Fujimoto, Junya Ishigami, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Snøhetta, MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects, and Stefano Boeri Architetti.
The winning design features three distinct yet interconnected structures that emerge gracefully from the riverbank landscape, creating a strong landmark for the city—a civic destination for both residents and visitors.
The architecture draws inspiration from Montenegro's remarkable natural environment, with stone cladding that pays homage to the surrounding mountains, establishing a new iconic architectural language that enhances the park and river scenery.
The project envisions a vibrant museum district and a park of arts & culture that will invigorate Podgorica's social life, becoming a dynamic public attractor.
The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Natural History Museum, and the House of Architecture are designed to offer permanent and temporary exhibitions, research and educational labs, informal meeting spaces, a new botanical garden, and expansive flexible outdoor areas for events. These facilities collectively celebrate culture, arts, and heritage, fostering cultural exchange and promoting the creative economy.
A key feature of the design is the integration of the buildings with the landscape. The structures' roofs merge seamlessly with the natural terrain, offering new outdoor gathering places with stunning views over the riverwalk.
This design approach ensures continuous movement across the landscape and enriches local biodiversity. The landscape strategy emphasizes blue-green infrastructure, retaining 290 existing trees, adding 532 new trees of various species, and introducing 900 shrubs, thereby enhancing the park's biodiversity and its connection to the city, particularly along the riverfront.

This project exemplifies a harmonious blend of culture and nature, reconnecting the Morača River with the city and establishing a new urban attractor that will draw visitors from around the world. Its iconic design and thoughtful integration with the natural environment position it as a catalyst for Podgorica’s cultural and social life, promoting sustainability and community engagement.